Police put down two water buffaloes in Kudus following public safety threat

Kudus — Police in Kudus, Central Java, have put down two water buffaloes that escaped and ran amok during Idul Adha sacrifices this year.

“Two buffaloes had to be euthanised using lead bullets due to the risk they posed to residents,” said Kudus Deputy Police Chief Kompol Rendi Johan Prasetyo on Thursday.

The two animals were located in Klaling and Tanjungrejo (Jekulo District), one in Purwosari (City District) and another in Sempalan (Jati District).

During the sacrificial slaughter on 10 and 11 Dzulhijjah, the police were on standby to receive public reports via the 110 emergency hotline if any animals escaped control.

“Of the four reported incidents, two were put down using lead bullets at residents’ request, while the other two were successfully controlled and captured by the sacrificial committees,” he added.

According to him, the incidents were incidental given that hundreds of mosques and musollas across nine districts in Kudus Regency carried out animal sacrifices.

“If we may offer advice, next year the committees should better prepare for the sacrificial process to prevent similar incidents,” he said.

Besides handling escaped buffaloes, the Deputy Police Chief also urged residents to remain vigilant against potential criminal activity by reactivating the community security system (Siskamling).

Motorcycle ramming incident

Meanwhile, a sacrificial buffalo that escaped and ran amok in Jati District, Kudus Regency, on Wednesday (27 May) charged two motorcyclists before being subdued by officers.

As it was being unloaded, the tether broke, causing the animal to run loose.

“The buffalo ran through several areas, from Pasuruan Lor Village, Pasuruan Kidul Village, to the Kudus Ring Road,” he said.

In addition to charging two motorcyclists, one sacrificial committee member sustained minor injuries while trying to secure the animal.

A joint police and committee team pursued the animal to prevent it from entering residential areas or busy roads.

After the buffalo weakened, officers and committee members tied it up. The slaughter was carried out on-site and the animal was transported to Purwosari Mosque around 8pm WIB.