Four injured after water buffalo goes on rampage at Philippines religious festival
By Mail Foreign Service, May 14, 2009
These pictures show the carnage caused after a water buffalo went wild during a religious festival in the Philippines.
Four people were injured in the town of Pulilan, north of Manila, after farmers lost control of the beast, who was part of a procession of 300.
The victims were treated at a nearby hospital.
The festival features a feast held to honour the patron saint Isidro Labrador, a Spanish farmer known for his goodness towards the poor and animals.
The event saw the buffalo specially trained to kneel before the church as they passed by. The gesture is meant to symbolise gratitude for a good harvest.
It is not known what made the animal suddenly act up, but dozens of festival goers were sent flying after the buffalo ploughed through the crowds.
The owner of the beast told locals that his animal may have been tired and unused to the crowds.
Brave members of the crowd stepped forward in an attempt to restrain the horned buffalo, which tried to shake off its plough harness.
Adult water buffalo can weigh up to 2,000lbs and are normally docile.
They have no sweat glands and cool down by lying in waterholes or mud during the heat of the day.
