SOUTHAMPTON, Massachusetts: The vandals that damaged a U.S. cemetery this week have pleaded "moo."

Police say a small herd of cows knocked over 40 flags and veterans' grave markers, then snacked on a few flower arrangements, at the Center Cemetery in Massachusetts on Monday.

Motorists called to report that the cows were loose. Police contacted the owner, Henry Wykowski, who caught and removed the cows from the cemetery.

Chief David Silvernail says the cows are an "ongoing problem," and his department has responded to complaints about the roaming bovines three or four times since last spring.

Cemetery Commission member Robert Floyd tells The Daily Hampshire Gazette he plans on asking the farmer to pay for the damage.