The Day a Cow Knocked at a Fourth-Floor Flat

This piece is part of our International Bizarre Landlord Stories series. Today’s story was first reported in India.

On a rainy morning in Lucknow, residents opened their doors to a sight they could not quite process. Standing in the corridor outside a fourth-floor flat was a full-grown cow, calm but clearly out of place. The family inside had expected the newspaper delivery or a neighbour. Instead, they were staring at a pair of large eyes and a very unexpected visitor.

How it happened

Security had logged stray cattle in the neighbourhood the night before. The lift was out of service after a power trip, and the stairwell door had been left unlatched by contractors. Somewhere between curiosity and confusion, the animal had climbed flight after flight. The corridor camera later showed the cow pause at each landing as if deciding where to go next.

The response

Residents kept a respectful distance and called the municipal team. Staff brought ropes, boards and a bag of feed. The operation took patience rather than force. With careful shepherding, the cow was guided down the stairs, out through the service gate and back to street level, where animal handlers took over. No one was hurt, and only a scuffed skirting board and a dented planter needed attention.

Why this matters to landlords and managers

• Access control matters. Stairwell doors, roof hatches and service gates need functioning closers and regular checks.
• Communication prevents panic. A building WhatsApp group or notice system helps residents stay calm while help is on the way.
• Know who to call. Keep contact details for local animal control and the council’s out-of-hours line with the concierge pack.
• Keep cameras working. Corridor and lobby footage helps explain what happened and supports any repair claims.
• Record the incident. A short log with times, photos and the contractor details will satisfy insurers and reassure residents.

Your experience

Have you ever dealt with wildlife or stray animals inside a building, whether in the UK or overseas? What practical steps did you find most useful? Share your tips below so others can learn from them.

Series so far

• The Tenant Who Kept a Tiger in a Harlem Apartment

Background coverage: Times of India report.