The baby calf was barely alive when farmer Dean Gangwer of Carroll County, Indiana found it lying alone in a snowbank.
So, the third-generation farmer acted instinctually and grabbed the calf and jumped into a hot tub with it.
“I’ve been in the cattle business a long time and at the cattle magazines and shows, they always talk about warm baths with calves and I said ‘I’ll put him in the tub,” Gangwer told WRTV Indianapolis.
“I jumped in fully dressed, held Leroy up so he didn’t drown, and him and I had a nice bath for an hour, so we both came out warm and I think the end story’s gonna be great for him.”
Ganger, a third-generation farmer who sells corn, soybeans, and raises cattle, didn’t realize that one of his 100 cows had given birth.
“She decided to go off by herself, which a lot of cows do, they want to be alone, big old pile of snow, I found this calf laying in there,” Gangwer said.
Gangwer said he knew the calf’s body temperature had dropped to dangerously low levels.
The calf could barely keep his eyes open and was barely breathing when he discovered it.
Gangwer tossed the calf onto his ATV and rushed home knowing that the warm hot tub water would quickly bring up his temperature.
After getting the cow out of the hot tub, the calf was brought inside the house. He was kept warm with electric blankets.
Thankfully, the calf survived the night.
He drank for the first time the next morning and was able to stand on his own. The cow, who was named Leroy, stayed inside the home for a few days and has since fully regained his strength and is doing well.
Gangwer and Leroy’s story ended up going viral and was picked up by several news outlets.
More than 300,000 people watched WRTV Indianapolis’ report on the calf’s rescue on their YouTube page.
“I love this story and beautiful ending when the calf is saved! Poor baby made it and that’s what counts, with the help of this great farmer!” one YouTuber commented.
Many in the comments argued that the farmer wasn’t exactly “saving” the calf and that he was basically only protecting his investment.
“In his eyes, he saved a delicious hamburger,” said another commenter.
Others had mixed opinions on the calf’s “rescue.”
“Good job, I wish you and your livestock well. This can help people see them as more than just food,” another commenter said.
“People should focus on the good that this caring farmer took to save this calf. He went through a lot of trouble to save it. Say something nice once in a while, instead of always finding the “Black Cloud” in every silver lining,” said another.
“Ethical farmers care about their livestock,” and another.
Check out the viral video of this hot tub party below.
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