Former Owner of Water Buffalo That Roamed Iowa Suburb for Days Pleads Guilty
The former owner of a water buffalo that caused a stir by roaming loose in a Des Moines, Iowa suburb for several days has pleaded guilty to charges of having an animal at large. According to the Des Moines Register, the owner was fined $105 along with court costs for the incident which took place in August.
The water buffalo had escaped while being transported to a slaughterhouse, sparking a search operation by the police in Pleasant Hill, a town with 11,000 residents. The animal, affectionately named PHill by fans after the city, managed to evade capture for days. At one point, police resorted to shooting PHill in an attempt to capture it, but the buffalo escaped and continued roaming until it was eventually tranquilized with the help of zoo and animal rescue workers.
Following the incident, the former owner decided to relinquish custody of PHill and two other water buffaloes, now known as Sal and Jane, to an animal shelter. PHill was taken to a large animal hospital to treat an infected gunshot wound but is reported to be recovering well, according to Iowa Farm Sanctuary.
Water buffaloes, which can weigh up to 2,650 pounds (1,200 kilograms), are considered to be the largest members of the Bovini tribe, as stated on the National Geographic website. Despite their size, the water buffalo in Iowa appeared smaller in comparison to the average, as seen in photos.
The incident highlighted the challenges of handling domesticated animals, especially when they stray into urban areas. It also brought to light the importance of cooperation between authorities, animal experts, and rescue teams in managing such unusual situations.
As PHill continues to recuperate and adjust to its new environment, the community in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, reflects on the quirky adventure that brought unexpected excitement to their quiet suburban streets.