Published: August 07, 2009 09:18 am      

Man attacked by water buffalo near Rio Vista

Livestock producers long made use of the Brahman bull to test the mettle of the bravest rodeo cowboys.

Around Rio Vista, the Brahman has a new rival for roughest, toughest critter on the block — the water buffalo.

According to Johnson County Sheriff’s Office reports, a 52-year-old man was injured by a water buffalo Tuesday.

Apparently the man attempted to herd the animal into a trailer.

The animal evidently objected, turned on the man, and attacked.

The man’s name was withheld by authorities. His condition is unknown.

“There was some blood,” said Johnson County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Gilbert. “The man’s injuries were enough to warrant land and air ambulances.”

Deputies responded to the scene near County Road 1109A “a little before 5 p.m. on Tuesday,” Gilbert said.

“The owner was trying to round up the water buffalo to transport it,” Gilbert said. “It was not outside an enclosure. The animal was confirmed as a water buffalo, and it was a bull.”

Water buffalo are native to Asia, have been domesticated for some 5,000 years and are vital to many Asian and African economies for their meat and dairy products.

Water buffalo are also used as beasts of burden.

Water buffalo herds are unusual in North America, but water buffalo milk is popular as an ingredient in yogurt and cheese.

“We’ve had reports of water buffalo in the Rio Vista area before,” Gilbert said.

“I knew there was a water buffalo herd down around Rio Vista,” said Texas AgriLife Extension agent Zach Davis. “I don’t know anything about them.”

Water buffalo are not, apparently, of the same temperament as donkeys and mules.

“Rio Vista police responded first and then called us,” Gilbert said. “It was first reported as a medical call because no one knew for sure what the situation was. The injured man was having trouble communicating, and the Rio Vista officer thought he might have been assaulted.”

He was — by a water buffalo.