A farmer in Oklahoma has died after two recently bought water buffaloes turned on him. His girlfriend claims he was experienced in handling exotic animals.
According to a report by Local 12, 45-year-old Brad McMichael from Jones died on Friday. He purchased the pair of water buffaloes the day before at an auction. The police reportedly said he was attending to the water buffaloes when they attacked. It’s unclear what may have prompted the aggressive behavior, but authorities have since euthanized the animals. One was put down for the attack. The other was euthanized for “aggressive behavior towards officers.” According to CBS News, police said they couldn’t immediately reach McMichael due to the buffalo’s aggression. He had “multiple deep lacerations that proved to be fatal.”
Local12 interviewed his ex-wife, Amy Smith. She described McMichael as “the hardest working man that I had ever known.” He was reportedly well-known in the community, particularly for his work with livestock and exotic animals.
The Farmer May Have Planned To Use The Animals For Agricultural Purposes
His girlfriend, Jennifer Green, told the outlet that McMichael planned to use the Water Buffaloes for agricultural purposes or to sell them. She explained, “Livestock can be aggressive at any moment if they’re stressed, when they’re in an auction environment, when they’re traveling, or when they’re with a new owner.” She added, “He loved to laugh. He loved to make other people laugh. Those that really knew him know what a huge loss and a huge void that is to fill.”
Earlier this month, a lioness attacked a woman at Darling Downs Zoo in Australia. She survived, but the zoo later confirmed that she had lost her arm. Emergency services airlifted the victim from the zoo, which stayed closed for multiple days after the incident.
Darling Downs Zoo also clarified several points, likely due to media attention. The establishment stressed that the lioness would not be euthanized. “The animal will definitely not be put down or punished in any way,” they explained. It’s unclear what events led to the attack, but the zoo revealed the injured woman was a member of the zoo owner’s family.