Ohio Teen Roper Captures Sheep After 45 Days on the Run

A 14-year-old roper and her seasoned horse have brought an end to a 45-day sheep escape that captivated Wadsworth, Ohio.

Reagan Crumpler had tried before to catch the American Blackbelly sheep as it wandered through the community, but each attempt ended without success. On Wednesday, however, the teenage lassoer and her 18-year-old horse, Catalena, finally made the breakthrough.

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Reagan set out with Catalena for an hourslong pursuit after asking her horse, “Catalena, you want to go catch a sheep today?”

The elusive animal repeatedly outmaneuvered them. Whenever Reagan and Catalena drew near, the sheep would turn away, leaving Reagan unable to get a rope around it.

Just as Reagan began to doubt they would succeed, she encouraged her horse: “Come on, Cat. We got this. Keep going.”

“It felt like she knew what I was saying, and she immediately kicked in the high gear, and we got right in front of it,” Reagan recalled.

The pair soon managed to rope and secure the sheep, ending an unexpected adventure that had drawn widespread attention across the town.

During the animal’s time on the run, Janine Smalley, owner of Whispering Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary, and volunteer Rebecca Roxberry organized a Facebook effort to help bring the sheep to safety.

“I just didn’t want to see her get hurt,” Roxberry said. “I love animals, all animals, and I was like, ‘Oh, we gotta do something.’”

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Residents and volunteers spotted the sheep several times over the 45 days. The local sheriff’s department and aerial drones also joined the search as the community worked to safely capture the runaway animal.

“The people of Wadsworth, they were so helpful,” Roxberry told News 5 Cleveland.

When the sheep was finally caught, Roxberry said the emotional relief was overwhelming. “We actually can breathe because she is safe.”

Roxberry later announced the rescue on Facebook.

“After 45 days of hard work, patience, and teamwork, Whispering Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary, our volunteers, and an incredible community were finally able to catch this sheep and bring her to safety!” she wrote.

The sheep has been named Gerri Reagan in honor of the young roper who helped capture her. She is currently under a 72-hour hold at the sanctuary and is reported to be doing well.

If no owner comes forward, Gerri Reagan will remain at Whispering Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary as a permanent resident.

“It made me feel really good, just knowing that the sheep was gonna go to somewhere that they would take care of it and it would get the best life,” Reagan said.

“And also just knowing that I could help out and just make a lot of people happy.”