The people of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, were stunned to see an Asian water buffalo roaming the streets on August 24.
After a police report, it turned out that a water buffalo had narrowly escaped from a man who wanted to slaughter it. While the owner claimed the animal was “aggressive and dangerous,” Candace Bell, spokesperson for the City of Pleasant Hill, expressed concern about the incident: “Our top priority was public safety.”
On the day of the incident, a police officer opened fire to capture the buffalo, hitting it in the abdomen. However, the wounded buffalo quickly escaped. The police department said the animal was aggressive and they did not have the necessary equipment to deal with the situation.
The escaped water buffalo was spotted in various places in the city and aroused great interest among the public. Thinking that the buffalo was not aggressive, locals called on the authorities not to kill the animal. Suzy Henriksen, a local resident, started a Facebook page under the name “PHill” and said that the public had adopted the animal: “Everyone was screaming 'Don't kill him'. It's so cute.”
“Free PHill” Movement
After PHill won hearts, a clothing store started selling T-shirts with the words “FREE PHILL” and slogans like “Let him go free! He's survived death twice, he deserves it!” slogans were used.
After the buffalo disappeared for several days, police, in collaboration with a zoo and rescue organization, managed to capture PHill unharmed on August 27.
The buffalo was tranquilized and transferred to Iowa State University's animal hospital for treatment.
The water buffalo's new lifePolice spokesperson Bell expressed their delight at PHill's safe capture and said the community shares the same sentiments.
After treatment, PHill will be placed in the Iowa Farm Animal Sanctuary.
Jered Camp, one of the shelter's founders, said the buffalo will now roam freely on a 40-acre farm and spend the rest of its life in safety.
Camp said the buffalo still had a bullet in its body, but there was no serious internal organ damage.
He also said that he could understand why the buffalo was so loved, saying, “He is very affectionate, it is clear from his eyes how innocent he is.”
PHill's owner under investigation
Authorities determined that the owner of the buffalo had been involved in similar incidents before and had two other buffalo in his possession.
The other owned buffaloes were sent to the Iowa Shelter and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
