‘Waldo’ the runaway Washingtonville sheep safe after escaping slaughter, rescuers say

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A runaway sheep-turned local celebrity in Washingtonville is now safe after rescuers say the animal escaped a local slaughter operation. The sheep has been seen roaming through neighborhoods for weeks in the quiet Orange County community and people in the area have been sharing their sightings of the animal on Facebook. One woman is heard speaking on a video given to News 12 during a recent close-up encounter in her yard saying, “I don’t know what to do. Hi!” The sheep has been nicknamed “Waldo” by locals who also started a “Sheep Watch 24’” on Facebook. “We get updates all the time from the Facebook group. Sheep tracker. They have it all over in different spots,” says Kara Henry. “Waldo” has been spotted everywhere from Main Street to Route 94. “We saw him at the candy store,” says Henry. Waldo’s free-roaming travels, however, have come to an end. He was recently temporarily taken in by a local family and is soon to be headed to the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary for a less adventurous, albeit safer, life. Rescuers didn’t say where the animal was slated for slaughter but say they’re grateful for the community’s help in rescuing him. They plan on keeping his name “Waldo.” People in town are glad he’s safe but say looking for “Waldo” was fun while it lasted. “Instead of the Washingtonville Wizards,” says Robert Henry, “we are the Washingtonville Sheep now!” If you’d like to donate to the animal’s care, visit the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary website. "