THIS is the hilarious moment a sheep being auctioned decided to make a break for freedom, leaping over a fence and into the crowd of surprised bidders.
United Auctions was hosting a livestock auction on Monday in Lairg, Highlands when one of the sheep, being sold by Joyce Campbell, made a bold bid for escape.
Despite its best efforts, the would-be Houdini was quickly hoisted back over the fence and into the ring, where the ram’s athleticism and liveliness may have played a part in its eventual sale.
The video from the auction, captured by a member of the crowd, shows the sheep’s daring escape attempt.
Whilst customers are actively bidding on the animal, the sheep decides it would rather be part of the crowd than in the pen.
Taking a running start, the lively tup leaps towards the fence keeping it in the ring, nearly completely clearing it as it kicks over the top and lands amongst bidders.
Prompting gasps and murmurs from the watching crowd, staff at the auction are forced to reach over the top of the fence and grab the rowdy sheep, dragging it back into the pen.
Managing to keep up with his duties amidst the hilarious chaos the auctioneer can be heard referring to the sheep’s owner, quipping, “It’s like Joyce, it doesn’t like to be caged”, eliciting a chorus of laughs around the ring.
After bringing the troublemaking animal into the ring again following its escape attempt, the price continues to rise.
Surprisingly, the tup makes a second escape attempt, again throwing itself at the fencing, forcing staff in the pen to box the animal in and keep it away from the fencing as its tenacious attempts at escape continue.
The ram was eventually sold for £1,600 seemingly impressing customers with its spirit.
Joyce, the owner of the rowdy sheep, was at the auction to sell a number of her sheep, and with £1,363 being her average sell price, she went home happy despite her sheep’s daring escape attempt.
Joyce shared the footage of her escape artist to social media on Monday with the caption: “A grand day at United Auctions Lairg.
“Don’t know if our last lad in the ring was making to the bar or just shy of the folk.
“Top of £1,800 and averaged £1,363 for our homebred two shears. Thanks to our regular buyers and the mart team. “
Her post has since received over 300 likes and more than 25 comments from social media users.
One joked: “Racing stables makes record purchase for a tup. Dead cert for next year’s Grand National.”
Another added: “He’s a lively lad Joyce. Glad you’ve had a good result today.”
A third wrote: “No ewe will be too tall for him anyway or fence.”
Another said: “Will tup all your ewes and the neighbours too.”
A fifth commented: “Surely that is no way to treat an animal. Looks like animal abuse to me, disgusting.”
