Carabao on way to slaughterhouse goes berserk, is shot dead
COTABATO CITY, Philippines—A carabao that was on its way to a slaughterhouse went berserk here Wednesday, attacking two motorcycles loaded with passengers and a roadside eatery, before it was shot dead by police, officials said.
No one was reported injured in the animal attack but it sent several people running for their lives.
The carabao, brandishing its sharp 30-inch horns, attacked oncoming tricycles, sending passengers fleeing.
Dr. Robert Malcontento, Cotabato City veterinarian, said the water buffalo first attacked a roadside eatery along Pansacala Street after its owner whipped it with a bamboo stick.
“Maybe the carabao was harmed after it was whipped and started running fast, jumping and hitting anything on its path,” Malcontento said, adding that the animal kept running for about three kilometers along the city’s major streets until the police decided to shoot it in the head.
Malcontento said the carabao might have panicked when faced with the riot of colors in the surrounding and upon hearing the sounds produced by vehicles.
Without naming the owner who was towing the beast to the city slaughterhouse when it went wild, the Cotabato City police director, Senior Supt. Rolen Balquin, said the police had to shoot the animal “before it can do more harm to people and properties.”
But Balquin said the owner of animal volunteered to pay for the damage to the eatery and two motorcycles.
Malcontento said incidents like this could be avoided with the opening of the P20-million Halal Slaughterhouse in Barangay (village) Tamontaka by October.
He said the new slaughterhouse would provide an animal stockyard where
large cattle could be settled before being butchered.
“Large cattle due for slaughter will no longer be towed by its owners along busy streets and populated areas but they will be transported by vehicle to the slaughterhouse,” Malcontento said.
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