A butcher said the animal may have been compelled to run off through the fencing and throughout the borough of Queens after being frightened by a sound.
Police chased the bull for nearly three hours, as the animal dodged officers and managed to make its way around police tape.
The bull's journey included several failed attempts by police to tranquilize it and a trip through a family's back yard.
The bull, which was struck with at least a dozen tranquilizer darts, died around 2:30 p.m. but a cause of death was not made clear.
A spokeswoman for Animal Care Centers of NYC said the bull died during transport, but city officials did not offer comment about where it was headed.
Officials said the bull's remains will be taken to a crematorium.
