Oklahoma Farmer Fatally Attacked By Water Buffalo Purchased One Day Earlier
on Jul 14, 2025
Water Buffalo Kills Man Just One Day After Purchased At An Auction
A pair of aggressive water buffalo fatally attacked an Oklahoma man just one day after he bought them at an auction, authorities said Monday.
The victim, Brad McMichael, died Friday from injuries sustained during the attack at his property in Jones, a small town roughly 20 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Emergency responders were dispatched around 8:35 p.m., but police and firefighters were initially delayed from reaching McMichael after the buffalo confronted them on the scene, Jones Police Chief Bryan Farrington said in a statement.
First responders reportedly killed the animal, and then were able to reach the man who “had sustained multiple deep lacerations that proved to be fatal.”
The Victims Fiancee Recalls The Tragic Event
McMichael’s fiancée, Jennifer Green, said he was preparing water for the animals when they brutally attacked him.
“He wouldn’t have been casual and, like I said, he was very experienced,” Green said. “So we don’t know how he got in that situation. But the stock tanks were not full of water yet. So we’re not sure if he was dumping them out to fill them with fresh water before he left. But that’s when it happened.”
Green shared that running the farm had been a “dream” come true for McMichael.
“Farming, our son and the community of Jones meant everything to him,” she added. “He was a man that was brought up in that town and was never ever going to leave.”
An investigation revealed that McMichael bought the two water buffaloes at a livestock auction just one day prior, on July 10.
“Livestock can be aggressive in any moment if they’re stressed when they’re in an auction environment, when they’re traveling, when they’re with new owners,” Green said. “He loved to laugh. He loved to make other people laugh.”
What Are Water Buffalo?
According to National Geographic, water buffalo are known for their strength, adaptability to wet environments, and value in agriculture, especially in developing countries.
More people depend on water buffalo for their livelihoods than on any other domesticated animal. Highly valued for their strength and endurance, they are especially well-suited for working in flooded rice fields, where machinery often struggles.
An adult buffalo can weigh up to 2,600 pounds, with the force to trample or gore easily if attacking a human.
