WINCHENDON — The owner of Murdock Farm and Dairy Bar is offering a reward for the return of a stolen cow skull that has more sentimental than monetary value.

The skull of Kiley, a Texas longhorn, was stolen sometime last Friday, according to Andy Brooks Jr., the farm’s co-owner. Brooks believes the theft occurred on Friday during the day or in the evening. Brooks said he raises Texas longhorns and Kiley was the first, eventually dying of old age. He kept the skull and hung it in the barn at Murdock Farm. The skull measures at seven feet from horn tip to horn tip. While the barn is technically private, people could walk in to see it and the cows. 

“It (the skull) was here Friday morning and I noticed it was gone Saturday morning,” Brooks said.

Brooks reported the theft to the Winchendon Police, and information has been shared with area police departments. Winchendon Police Chief Daniel Wolski could not be reached for comment by press time.

“Everyone’s doing good, but we’re upset that it’s gone,” Brooks said. 

Located at 62 Elmwood Road in Winchendon, the dairy bar is a popular spot to purchase locally made ice cream and has been around since 1964. The Texas longhorn is an American breed of beef cattle, characterized by its horns, which can span more than eight feet.

Brooks initially offered a $200 reward, and donations have increased this to $2,000. He said a few tips have come in, including someone who claimed to have seen a longhorn skull in a truck in Athol, but nothing substantive. Brooks said the skull is valued at approximately $1,250, and he’s gotten offers for other cow skulls, but never for Kiley.

On the farm’s Facebook page, many people have commented on the theft or offered to share the information.

“Someone knows something,” the last post reads. “Please keep an eye out and let us know if you see or hear anything.”

If anyone has information on the theft, they can call the Winchendon Police at 978-297-1212. They can also reach Andy Brooks Jr. at 978-297-2196 or send a message to the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MurdockFarmDairyDairyBar/.

Max Bowen can be reached at 413-930-4074 or mbowen@recorder.com.

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