Buffalo Goes On Rampage

[george]

Buffalo goes on rampage

CHUMPON: A black buffalo yesterday ran amok in Chumphon town for nearly three hours, terrifying many passers-by into a run for their lives and causing more than Bt50,000 damage.

The large bull, aged between three and four years old, began its wild rampage at about 1pm.

It took police until the late afternoon to bring the buffalo under control.

They said they had been unable to capture the buffalo, but it had been restrained in a ditch for hours with a rope noose around its neck.

"It might have gone crazy because of the sweltering heat," said Lieutenant Charoon Nuchan, an inspector at Muang Chumphon police station.

Police were considering using a tranquilliser dart to calm the buffalo so they could return it to captivity.

Charoon said that he would try to locate the animal's owner, who would be held responsible for the damage caused.

During its frenzied spree, the buffalo went berserk on Saladaeng, Pracha-Utis and Paramintaramanka roads.

At least four motorcyclists later complained that their vehicles were damaged after they jumped off them in a bid to avoid being crushed by the crazed black buffalo.

On its wild run around town, the buffalo broke the large glass doors of the Suriya Hotel. It also caused panic when it sped into a local temple and a local forestry office.

"I believe it might have gotten loose from either a slaughterhouse or a farm," Charoon said.

He expected to trace the buffalo's owner through the "M" symbol branded on the animal's body and a circular yellow plastic tag attached to its ear.

--The Nation 2004-01-07