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The faded fiberglass bull was found Saturday morning munching grass on the Onalaska High School football practice field about a mile from his home at 200 S. 10th Ave., Carol Huber said.
He was returned “safe and in one piece” about 10 a.m. in a city truck after more than a week hiatus, Carol said. The police department mentioned no suspects, she added.
“I was so happy to see him,” Carol said. “I am just happy to have him back.”
Carol plans to wash and paint the bull and make sure he is securely fastened so “if any wants to steal him it will be a one-week job.”
The unnamed bull has been an identifying landmark for the Huber house for about 30 years. He has posed patiently for countless photos with grandchildren and neighborhood kids, who also use him as a jungle gym.
“We mowed around him for many years,” Carol said.
The bull moved into the Hubers’ yard in the mid-1970s when he was given to them in lieu of a month’s $285 rent from a friend and tenant of their former North Side La Crosse warehouse. The tenant was “down and out of luck” in his business making the fiberglass figures, Carol said.
Merlin, now 77, agreed to accept the Angus.
“He’s an odd rod,” Carol said of her husband. “He thought it would be cool and it was a way of helping out the gentleman.”
