Philadelphia police were able to box in Stormy with their cars and tie a rope around her neck. She was guided off the highway and back to the nativity scene.

\"PHOTO:
WPVI-TV
PHOTO: A cow from a living nativity scene at the Old First Reformed United Church of Christ in Philadelphia escaped two times, Dec. 14, 2017, once making its way to I-95 where it was corralled by police.
>

But just a few hours later police tweeted that the cow had escaped again.

If you're in the area of 4th and Market, beware of traffic delays. A cow is loose. Again. No, we can't believe we're tweeting this either. pic.twitter.com/3FW6iHzQws

— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) December 14, 2017

According to ABC News affiliate WPVI, Reverend Michael Caine of Old First Reformed UCC had tried to stop the 1,500 pound bovine when she made her second escape, but was unsuccessful.

Storming the cow is now on an upper floor of a parking garage at 4th and Arch after her second escape from a live nativity scene within hours. pic.twitter.com/4gvwXTL3Y7

— Katherine Scott (@KScott6abc) December 14, 2017

Stormy then headed toward the upper level of a nearby parking garage, where her handlers and police were able to capture her again. According to WPVI, one of the state troopers who responded knew how to handle the situation because he owns a cattle ranch.

Storming getting led out of garage at 4th and Arch. Not sure she validated. pic.twitter.com/VCCzoGaZdL

— Katherine Scott (@KScott6abc) December 14, 2017

Stormy was returned for a second time to her pen in the church’s nativity scene, which also includes two sheep and two donkeys.

Update: Cow's name is Stormy not Storming (my apologies, Stormy). Stormy back at nativity scene. Again. pic.twitter.com/lRDUygLHL6

— Katherine Scott (@KScott6abc) December 14, 2017

Old First Reformed UCC said in a statement that its “crèche was vandalized. The gate was opened and Stormy, the cow, escaped onto the south bound ramp of I-95.”

People have recently expressed concern over the animals’ welfare in the nativity scene, Caine told WPVI.

“She's not cold. She's been shown since she's a baby. She's not unnerved by the people or the city's commotion,” according to a Facebook post from the church. “Life in a barn isn't always easy.”

Caine told WPVI that the church has put on the nativity scene display since 1973.

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