The incident happened when the cows escaped from a field just outside Kilmacrennan.
Farmer Lester Dobson and neighbours called in the coast guard team after a series of bizarre incidents led to the cattle running into the river.
Earlier the cattle – in a distressed state – had been loose on the Churchill Road.
It’s understood the animals escaped from a field after being frightened by a dog.
Thanks to the coast guard volunteers all the animals were rescued safely and returned to pasture.