Cattle from the Northeastern Correctional Center farm escaped their enclosure on Aug. 31 and wandered into backyards on Whits End Road in Concord.

Town Moderator Karlen Reed, who lives next to the prison farm, heard the herd around 7:30 a.m., called Concord police and texted neighbors. Reed, who roped steers in college, helped guide the animals as correctional staff arrived to herd them back.

Neighbor Kate Dauria had been feeding her 2-year-old son Jack breakfast when her dog started barking. "It sounded like Jurassic Park in our backyard," Dauria told The Concord Bridge, which first reported the story.

Massachusetts Department of Correction spokesperson Scott Croteau confirmed the livestock had been "outside their fenced area" and that staff repaired the fence.

The cattle left cow pies around the neighborhood and caused some landscaping damage. Reed, who has lived next to the farm since 2009, said this was the first escape she had seen.

Jack, who knows how to say "cow," waved goodbye as the herd headed back behind the fence.