The owner of a water buffalo that ran loose in a Des Moines, Iowa, suburb for days in August has pleaded guilty for having an animal at large
DES MOINES, Iowa — The owner of a water buffalo that ran loose in a Des Moines, Iowa, suburb for days pleaded guilty for having an animal at large.
The owner was fined $105 and court costs Thursday, the Des Moines Register reported.
The owner was taking the animal to slaughter when it escaped in August.
Police spent days searching for it as it roamed Pleasant Hill, a town of 11,000 residents. Fans named the animal PHill after the city.
Police at one point shot PHill while trying to capture the animal, but it escaped and continued to roam for several days before being tranquilized with help from zoo and animal rescue workers.
The former owner gave custody of PHill and two other water buffaloes — now named Sal and Jane — to an animal shelter.
The water buffalo was treated at a large animal hospital for an infected gunshot wound. Iowa Farm Sanctuary said PHill is recovering well.
Water buffaloes can weigh up to 2,650 pounds (1,200 kilograms), according to the website for National Geographic, though the Iowa animal appears smaller in photos. Often domesticated, the water buffalo is the largest member of the Bovini tribe, which includes yak, bison, African buffalo, various species of wild cattle, and others, the website said.
In a bizarre turn of events, the former owner of a water buffalo in Iowa has pleaded guilty after the animal roamed a suburb for several days, causing chaos and confusion among residents.
The incident began when the water buffalo, named Bubbles, escaped from its enclosure and wandered into a residential neighborhood in Des Moines. The massive animal, weighing over 2,000 pounds, caused quite a stir as it trotted down the streets, startling onlookers and even causing a minor traffic jam.
Authorities were called to the scene to try and corral the wayward water buffalo, but their efforts were unsuccessful as Bubbles proved to be quite elusive. For several days, the animal roamed the suburb, evading capture and causing concern among residents who were unsure of how to handle the situation.
Eventually, the former owner of the water buffalo was identified and charged with several offenses related to the escape of the animal. In court, the owner admitted to negligence in securing the enclosure and allowing Bubbles to escape, leading to the chaos that ensued in the suburb.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible ownership of exotic animals. Water buffaloes are not typically kept as pets in suburban neighborhoods, and their escape can pose a serious risk to both the animal and the community. Proper precautions must be taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
Thankfully, Bubbles was eventually captured and returned to a safe location where it could be properly cared for. The former owner has since been fined and ordered to take additional measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
In conclusion, the case of the escaped water buffalo in Iowa serves as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities that come with owning exotic animals. It is important for owners to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of their animals, as well as the community at large. Hopefully, this incident will serve as a wake-up call for others who may be considering keeping unconventional pets in residential areas.
