US Farmer Fatally Attacked by Water Buffaloes

A tragic incident has shaken a small town in Oklahoma after a local farmer was killed by two water buffaloes he had recently purchased at a livestock auction.

Bradley McMichael, a 52-year-old farmer from the small town of Jones, was found with severe lacerations after an attack by the animals he had bought just a day earlier. According to the Jones Police Chief Bryan Farrington, the buffaloes were so aggressive that first responders could not reach the victim immediately.

"The animals were so aggressive that first responders couldn't get to the victim at first," said Farrington in a statement. "One water buffalo was euthanized immediately, and the other was put down after it became increasingly agitated and threatening."

Police believe that McMichael had purchased the two buffaloes a day before the incident and became trapped inside an enclosure while tending to them. Despite being an experienced cattle handler, the farmer was unable to escape the aggressive animals.

McMichael's former wife, Amy Smith, described him as a lifelong farmer with a deep passion for livestock. "The cattle farming, that's his thing," she said in an interview with KFOR. "He's been here his whole life, and he's done that his whole life. So he's an experienced cattle handler and a farmer."

Although water buffalo are not commonly raised in the United States, they are known for their milk production and lean cuts of beef. According to the Arkansas Farm Bureau, these animals are typically used for dairy and meat in certain regions of the country.

The incident has raised questions about the risks associated with raising exotic livestock, even for experienced farmers. Local authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the attack, but the tragedy has left the community in shock and mourning.

As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife, even in a controlled farming environment.