Owner pleads guilty after water buffalo roams Iowa suburb
- The owner of a water buffalo lost control of the animal while attempting to transport it for slaughter.
- Police and animal rescue workers worked together to capture the buffalo after it roamed freely for several days.
- The incident raises concerns about animal management and public safety in suburban environments.
In August, a water buffalo escaped from its owner in Pleasant Hill, a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa, and roamed the area for several days. The owner was in the process of taking the animal to slaughter when it managed to break free. Local police initiated a search for the buffalo, which was affectionately named PHill by fans. During the capture attempts, police shot PHill, but the animal evaded capture and continued to roam until it was eventually tranquilized with assistance from zoo and animal rescue workers. Following the incident, the owner pleaded guilty to having an animal at large and was fined $105 along with court costs. The owner subsequently surrendered PHill and two other water buffaloes to an animal shelter. PHill received treatment for an infected gunshot wound at a large animal hospital and is reportedly recovering well. The case highlights the challenges of managing large domesticated animals and raises questions about animal welfare and public safety in suburban areas.