– Dodge City’s El Capitan just hasn’t been

the same since the night last month when the life-size bronze

longhorn steer was hit by a minivan.

The city’s landmark statue was knocked off its brick pedestal on

a grassy spot in the heart of downtown. El Capitan suffered a

broken horn, fractured ankle and damaged tail.

But this week, the statue was loaded on a trailer for a trip to

Lawrence, where it will be fixed up at a foundry called Ad Astra

Art Bronze.

Dodge City spokeswoman Jane Longmeyer told the Dodge City Daily

Globe that Ad Astra submitted a bid of $5,000, the lowest of four

the city received. The repairs are expected to take two to three

months.

Longmeyer says the 18-year-old driver’s insurance company will

cover the costs.