Authorities in the Des Moines suburb of Pleasant Hill are warning residents to remain vigilant after a water buffalo, typically native to the Indian subcontinent – 9,000 miles away from Iowa – escaped from its pen over the weekend.
Local resident Madison Pottebaum recounted her surprise to KCCI when a police officer came to her backyard on Saturday, asking if she had seen the water buffalo. At first, she thought it was a joke. But just 30 minutes later, she spotted the animal herself:
She said her dogs started barking and eventually the water buffalo ran off. She said the animal should be the neighborhood’s mascot.
“We could put it on the flag, it could be the Christmas ornament this year, the theme,” Pottebaum said.
Pleasant Hill police said they first encountered the animal around 10 a.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of NE 56th Street, and attempted to help guide it back to its owner’s property. But the animal evaded capture and headed further into the city.
“It became aggressive and the Pleasant Hill PD fired one shotgun round striking and injuring the animal,” Pleasant Hill police said in a news release. “The water buffalo fled and was last seen in Little Fourmile Creek heading southbound in the vicinity of Scott Ave and Oakwood Blvd.”
Water buffaloes are usually domesticated and used in farming in many parts of the world, but they can become aggressive, particularly if they feel threatened or are protecting their young. An adult can weigh between 1,500 to 2,650 pounds.
Authorities are advising residents not to approach the injured animal under any circumstances. If you spot it, contact the Pleasant Hill Police Department at (515) 265-1444.
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Why would anyone shoot a water buffalo with a shot gun. That is guaranteed to make the animal more aggressive and, being wounded, a lot more aggressive. It will take some planning and coordination between multiple individuals to coral the animal; preferably not the officer who shot the animal.