Police estimate damage to Volvo at $2,000

By Rich Hewitt, BDN Staff 10/24/09

PENOBSCOT, Maine — There’s a moose on the loose and apparently it’s not a happy camper.

Unprovoked, the unidentified moose attacked an unarmed vehicle on Western County Road just after dark Wednesday.

According to Deputy Jeff McFarland of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, a Castine woman was traveling on the road when she came across the belligerent beast blocking her way.

The woman told the deputy that she stopped abruptly to let the moose pass by.

“She was waiting for the moose to get out of the road,” McFarland said Friday. But then “just as it passed the car it drew right off and kicked it. I guess it didn’t like her headlights.”

The well-aimed kick destroyed the headlight of the woman’s 2004 Volvo and damaged the front fender and bumper, the deputy said. He estimated the damage to the car at $2,000.

After the moose kicked the Volvo, the animal sauntered off into the woods.

Hair samples were found on the vehicle and officers may have obtained a partial hoof print, a police dispatcher offered. As of Friday afternoon, however, the moose was still on the loose.

Deputy McFarland issued a warning to motorists:

“Don’t mess with the moose in Penobscot.”

Jim's comment: "I'm shocked...used to be, our Moose would only kick it the car had Massachusetts plates."