Update: On September 18, it was reported that the driver -- Brian C. Farmer -- was to be charged with failure to secure his load. The state police evidently had determined that he was properly licensed to possess a firearm.
I have an interesting story aboiut the police and a moose later on.
I'll keep checking on this.
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Man who shot buffalo charged by state police
By Kristen Bradley / News Staff Writer
Thursday, September 16, 2004
WESTBOROUGH -- The New Hampshire man who dropped his buffalo on Interstate 495 in Westborough last week and then shot it dead was cited yesterday by the Massachusetts State Police, and more charges could be filed once the investigation is complete.
Trooper Tom Ryan said Brian C. Farmer, 31, of Warner, N.H., would be charged with failure to secure his load, a civil motor vehicle infraction.
In addition, Ryan said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the use of Farmer's firearm is ongoing.
"The issues involving the transportation, possession and discharge of (Farmer's) firearm are still under investigation," Ryan said. "Basically what we do when we have something that doesn't appear to be cut and dry, we consult with the district attorney's office to make determinations on legal issues."
Ryan said he expects the investigation to be wrapped up by the end of today.
According to Ryan, Farmer was traveling on I-495 on Sept. 8 when the livestock trailer he was towing behind his pickup truck gave way, the latch to the trailer burst open and the bull fell out onto the highway.
Unaware of what had happened, Farmer kept driving until passing motorists started alerting him to the 1,000-pound bull standing in the middle of the highway.
Farmer stopped his car, pulled over and tried to get the buffalo off the roadway. When state police Trooper Donna Losardo arrived at the scene, she instructed the group of motorists who had stopped to help to get back into their cars, citing safety concerns on the open highway.
At that time, the buffalo started walking toward Losardo and the crowd of people who had stopped to help.
That's when Farmer pulled his rifle from the car and shot the buffalo twice, killing it.
The three buffalos were on their way to Farmer's market to be slaughtered.
Since the incident, state police have been investigating, trying to determine if Farmer lawfully possessed, carried and discharged his rifle.
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