Kansas sheriff says an attacking buffalo tossed one of his deputies 10 to 12 feet into the air

Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal
·2 min read
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An American buffalo roams the Konza Prairie Tallgrass Preserve in Riley County.
An American buffalo roams the Konza Prairie Tallgrass Preserve in Riley County.

An Ellsworth County sheriff's deputy, who was tossed 10 to 12 feet into the air by a buffalo last week, is now home and recovering, said Sheriff Murray Marston.

Marston shared further details Tuesday about the situation in which a charging buffalo was put down early the evening of Aug. 7 after seriously injuring Deputy Jerry Slaight in central Kansas.

The buffalo's owner — Scott Schroeder, 56, of rural Bushton — was then found dead the next morning, apparently having been gored by that buffalo, which are the same as bison.

Slaight responded after a caller reported that the buffalo was out on K-4 highway, which is Ellsworth County's southern boundary with Rice County, Marston said.

He said Slaight reported the buffalo hadn't yet seen him when he found it just south of K-4 and got out of his vehicle to look for a pasture gate.

More: A buffalo was shot to death after injuring a Kansas deputy. Its owner was then found dead.

Slaight said when the buffalo did see him, "he charged him so fast he was unable to retreat to his patrol car in time," Marston said.

The buffalo hit Slaight in the chest, knocking him to the ground, he said.

Slaight got to his feet and the buffalo charged him a second time, "goring him in the left thigh while tossing him 10 to 12 feet into the air," Marston said.

A Rice County deputy arrived at the scene just as the attack occurred and put down the buffalo when it appeared to be charging at the downed deputy, he added.

Slaight was admitted to a Salina hospital but has since been released, Marston said.

Deputies were then called at 9:03 a.m. Aug. 8 to the pen where Schroeder’s aunt had found him, about a quarter of a mile away, after he was apparently gored to death, Marston said.

Schroeder owned the 20-plus buffalo that were being kept at that location, he said.

Ellsworth, the county seat of Ellsworth County, is located about 150 miles west/southwest of Topeka.

Tim Hrenchir can be reached at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Ellsworth County deputy attacked, gored by buffalo is recovering