Loose buffalo roaming local community prompts police response over safety concerns

GERMAN TWP. — A woman out for a run in German Twp. Monday morning came upon a large surprise - a buffalo that had escaped a ranch and was roaming the community.

The woman was one of several people who called police to report the buffalo.

German Twp. Police Sgt. Shane Birch, concerned about the threat the animal posed to drivers, children and farmers, told News Center 7′s Mike Campbell he drove his cruiser up and down area roads trying to find it.

“The danger is not hitting the animal and what you may do to the animal, it’s what they may do to you,” said area resident Darrell Weller. “And if you hit one, it’ll come right back at you and come up the hood.”

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Police were able to contact the animal’s owner, who keeps bison on a Butler County property about four miles away. Unable to get the animal safely onto a trailer, the owner was forced to put it down, police said.

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