Buffaloed: Herd roams Lakeside neighborhoods

The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen BUFFAL-OH NO: Garland County Sheriff's Department Cpl. Fred Hawthorn tries to feed five buffaloes in the 300 block of Whispering Hills Road Thursday afternoon.
The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen BUFFAL-OH NO: Garland County Sheriff's Department Cpl. Fred Hawthorn tries to feed five buffaloes in the 300 block of Whispering Hills Road Thursday afternoon.

Six buffaloes roamed freely through neighborhoods in the Lakeside area Thursday after escaping from a nearby farm, and some avoided an army of volunteers, law enforcement officials and animal control officers for more than 12 hours before being tranquilized.

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The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen BUFFALO ROAM: An unidentified volunteer helps move five buffalo in the 300 block of Whispering HIlls Road Thursday afternoon. Six buffalo escaped from a farm on Shady Grove Road early Thursday morning and roamed the area around Malvern Avenue.

The buffaloes escaped from Shady Grove Farm early Thursday morning, according to a news release from the city of Hot Springs. One was recovered early in the morning after being struck by a car and returned to the farm.

The owner, identified by the city as Tony Bettis, assisted in Thursday's recovery effort, which included volunteers and members of the Hot Springs Police Department, Hot Springs Animal Services and the Garland County Sheriff's Department.

No injuries were reported as of Thursday afternoon, the release said.

As of 7:30 p.m., the city said three tranquilized buffaloes were standing in place in the same wooded area near Malvern Avenue/Bellaire Drive.

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The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen LOOSE ANIMALS: Three of five roaming buffaloes stand in the 300 block of Whispering Hills Road Thursday before running into the woods.

"There are still two unsecured buffalo remaining in the area," the release said. "Regular patrols by local authorities will continue until the final two are secured. The owner is asking residents to stay away from the buffalo if sighted and to notify the Hot Springs Police Department by calling 321-6789."

Representatives of the Little Rock Zoo gave assistance at the scene, and city crews were called in to transport the secured buffalo from the wooded area back to Shady Grove Farm.

Hot Springs police Cpl. Sonia Luzader said the initial report came in around 4 a.m., after one of the buffaloes was struck by a vehicle at the 1100 block of Golf Links Road.

Dan Bugg, director of Animal Services, said the injured female was hit in her right rear hip and could have some hip problems.

A second report came in at 6:30 a.m. about another buffalo on the golf course at Hot Springs Country Club.

"We have literally been trying to contain them all day," Luzader said Thursday afternoon.

She said the six buffaloes stayed in the area of Malvern Avenue and the neighborhoods of Eastgate, Bellaire and Ridgeway. Traffic units, GCSD deputies, and animal services officers were all on scene. Luzader said one buffalo was contained and the police department was assisting animal control in trying to tranquilize the remaining five. She added that the buffaloes may have escaped through an automatic gate, but officials hadn't determined how they got from one point to the next.

"On occasion we have had some cows escape," Luzader said. "I have not heard in my 20 years (in Hot Springs) of buffalo."

Bugg said the officials attempting to capture the buffaloes were mainly concerned with returning the animals home or at least securing them, all while keeping the public safe. A veterinarian from the Little Rock Zoo was also called to assist with tranquilizing.

"We're trying to get the best outcome on this as we can," he said.

Weighing up to 2,000 pounds and running at speeds up to 40 mph, buffalo can be hard to miss, especially in populated areas. Hot Springs citizens woke up Thursday morning to five of the buffalo making their way through yards and streets.

Mike Harrison was sitting in his living room drinking coffee just before 7 a.m. when he noticed a flash outside.

"I think six or so ran through my yard," he said. "It's been an exciting morning."

Harrison added the buffalo did damage to his yard and others, and he would have to bring in sod and dirt for repairs.

Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, said the buffalo were the last thing he expected to see at 7 a.m.

"I was just out on our screened porch with my dog and my dog started going crazy," he said.

Arrison said he heard a loud, thundering noise and looked up to see four to five buffalo running through his neighborhood and various yards.

"It was like watching the movie 'Dancing With Wolves,'" Arrison said.

He added it looked like the buffalo were being hunted and though an incredible sight, it seemed like a stampede.

"Just another day in Spa City," he said.

Local on 04/17/2015

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