A farmer in rural Love County, Oklahoma, was found dead Tuesday morning, reportedly killed by water buffaloes he had recently acquired, according to local authorities. The incident, described by officials as a tragic and unusual accident, occurred on the farmer’s property near Marietta.
The victim has been identified as 63-year-old Randall Jones. Deputies with the Love County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at approximately 8:30 a.m. Tuesday after a family member discovered Mr. Jones’s body in a pasture with the newly purchased animals. Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene.
Love County Sheriff Joe Smith confirmed that preliminary findings suggest Mr. Jones sustained fatal injuries consistent with an animal attack. “It appears Mr. Jones was attempting to manage the water buffaloes, which he had only recently brought onto his farm,” Sheriff Smith stated. “This is an incredibly sad and rare event for our community.”
“Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time,” Sheriff Smith added. “The investigation is ongoing, but all indications point to a tragic accident involving the animals.”
Authorities reported that the water buffaloes involved in the incident were a small herd purchased by Mr. Jones just days prior. Due to the dangerous nature of the situation and for public safety, the decision was made to humanely euthanize the animals on site. Animal control services assisted in the safe handling of the large bovines.
Water buffaloes are large, powerful animals that can weigh over 2,000 pounds. While often docile when properly domesticated, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened, are startled, or are unfamiliar with their handlers or surroundings. Farmers in the region occasionally keep them for meat or dairy production, though they are not as common as traditional cattle.
The Love County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office, is continuing its investigation into the precise circumstances surrounding Mr. Jones’s death.
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