http://www.koaa.com/news/view.asp?ID=3553

Buffalo on the loose stopped in Old Colorado City


Colorado Springs Police cordoned off several blocks in Old Colorado City Monday afternoon, after a handful of buffalo escaped from a nearby meat packing plant.

The truck driver who delivered the bison did not put his truck into the delivery chute properly. Only five of more than 50 got out, but unfortunately, the situation ended with a shoot out. They started grazing in this yard at 15TH Street and Colorado Avenue. Police and workers from the G & C Meat Packing Plant stood watch over the bison with guns loaded. It is the second time that the meat packing plant dealt with a buffalo escape. It happened once before in December of 2003. Frank Grindinger, the plant owner said, "I absolutely regret to be standing out here again. We're taking action immediately and putting up a containment fence since we can't count on the intellegence of the truck drivers delivering these bison to my facility."

Police along with G & C Meat Packing plant employees shot and killed all five buffalo at around 1:00 Monday afternoon. Officers said one of the bison crossed a threshold that they set, and when it got too close to the fence, they opened fire. Division of Wildlife officials were on scene, but they could not intervene because the buffalo were partially domesticated.

Witnesses were shocked and saddened by what happened. But police said they were not willing to take a chance.

Updated: 5/9/2005 5:33:08 PM