GRAND COUNTY, Utah, Nov. 4, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials euthanized a water buffalo that was “at large” south of Moab on Saturday evening.
A Facebook post from Grand County Sheriff’s Office said officials were called “to an animal at large on Spanish Valley Drive, near Beeman Road.”
The initial post did not say what type of animal it was, but officials later clarified it was a water buffalo. The location the buffalo was found is just east of U.S. Highway 191.
“Due to a lack of tranquilizing materials, logistic problems, and the need for public safety, discussions between the animal owner and the sheriff’s office determined that the most appropriate solution was to put the animal down,” the post said.
Several shots were fired to euthanize the buffalo, the post said.
“Appropriate measures were taken in order to prevent injury to any deputies on the call, or anyone in the neighborhood,” the post continued. “We just want to inform the members of the community, especially those that were in the area that might have heard the gunshots or observed the law enforcement officers during the incident. Thanks for your understanding.”
Officials added: “It’s not an animal you usually get to see everyday, so it was sad to see the situation turn out the way it did.”
