From the very beginning Catherine O’Leary and Daisy, her cow, were blamed for starting the Great Chicago Fire. Mrs. O’Leary swore she was in bed when the fire started, but her testimony didn’t change people’s opinions. She made too many statements earlier - when she told her neighbors it was an accident. At least, that’s what her neighbors remembered.
Ironically, although 17,450 buildings were destroyed, the O’Leary’s house survived. The cow (and the barn) didn’t.