(NEWS10)
BETHLEHEM, N.Y. – Ten to fifteen buffalo have been shot and killed. Four of them were found dead in the Onesquethaw Creek in Coeymans.
News10 reporter Anya Tucker says she heard dozens of shots just after 1 p.m. near the Bethlehem-Coeymans town line, and she saw four deceased buffalo in the Onesquethaw Creek.
Related: Herd of buffalo on the move in Bethlehem after swimming across Hudson River
A New York State Police chopper was in the air, searching for the rest of the heard that escaped from a farm in Castleton.
Rifle shells have been found on the shoulder of Route 101, just above the creek where the bodies of buffalo are in the water.
Authorities say after speaking with several state veterinarians, the decision was made that the family has the right to shoot the animals. It’s not a decision anyone takes lightly. That was a last resort.
Around 1:39 pm all animals had to be put down, that was after they crossed River Road and, eventually, the Thruway. Authorities were closely monitoring things, but when those animals walked across the highway, that was the end-all that they needed to be put down.
Sheriff Apple says he didn’t want to shoot the animals at first, he thought they would be able to trap and tranquilize, but this was before he knew that these were animals that were raised to be sold as food.
Early on, the family gave authorities permission to shoot the buffalo – authorities did not take that option, not thinking it was necessary. It was Tom Gallagher that spoke with authorities, who was able to get answers from the state that this, ultimately, was the direction to take things. It took a long time.
Why can’t we tranquilize?
Tom Gallagher, a large animal specialist with the Cornell Cooperative Extension, says you need to use a very heavy dose to work on these large animals. Could take more than one shot, you would need to be close, as the hides are thicker on these animals. In some cases, he’s seen animals this large die after getting tranquilized.
Why did they have to be shot?
By crossing the Thruway and rushing at authorities, and with the animals coming into the area of Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk schools, it became a public safety issue.
What about the guy being detained?
Craig Apple says the “hired guns” shot at the buffalo. One or two of them were killed. A third was shot and injured, flopping on the ground. Apple ordered the shooter to fire a kill shot so the animal wouldn’t be suffering. The shooter refused and kept firing at the other buffalo that were strolling away. He was then ordered to stop, but refused. Authorities then grabbed his rifle, put him against a truck and detained him. There were people in the area, there were kids in the area, Apple said “It was time to end this. Period.” He says it was becoming a spectacle.
