SALEM, Ore. -- An 800-pound Angus steer died after being hit by a vehicle in Marion County on Tuesday night.

A family discovered the steer in the 14000 block of Marion Road at about 9 p.m., said Marion County deputies.

Deputy Skim Lumley said the family stayed with the injured animal and made sure other vehicles did not crash into it. They also contacted neighbors on both sides of the crash in an attempt to locate the owner of the steer.

When sheriff's deputies arrived, they called in veterinarian Dr. Ann Schlomer, who said the steer needed to be put down.

Authorities have yet to find the owner of the animal or the person who crashed into it.

The steer is described as a black Angus with a white face. It weighed between 700 and 800 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call the Marion County Sheriff's Office.