Bull shot and killed with arrow
Santa Cruz, CA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Oct 6, 2005
County: Santa Cruz
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
A Santa Cruz business owner is offering a $5,000 reward to find the person who shot and killed one of his prize bulls with an arrow.
Norman Bei, owner of the Bei-Scott real estate firm, said that he suspected the attack had occurred overnight Oct. 6 at his 21-acre Soquel ranch. The caretaker of the cattle noticed that one of the bulls was acting strangely the next day. The 13-year-old, 1,600-pound Ankole-Watusi bull was found dead the following Saturday morning, with a wound in its neck and the bent arrow nearby.
"He must have got it out somehow," said Bei, who bought the bull in 1994 for $2,500. The animal, used for breeding, would have been worth between $15,000 and $20,000 today. Its natural life span would have been about 25 years.
Ankole-Watusi bulls are striking animals, with long, thick, symmetrical horns. According to information provided by the Department of Animal Science at Oklahoma State University, the breed dates back 6,000 years and was considered sacred by some African tribes. Throughout history, the regal animals have been referred to as the "cattle of kings."
The dead bull's horns measured 5 feet 9 inches tip-to-tip.
Bei said the arrow was 18 inches long with a stainless steel tip and had been shot by a high-powered crossbow with a trigger mechanism.
Judging from the security devices installed at the ranch designed to protect Bei's cattle, the killer must have shot from at least 20 feet away, Bei said.
He thinks the animal had its head down when it was shot, he said.
The arrow does have a number on it, and Bei hopes it will help police track the weapon to its owner.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call Bei at (831) 423-4181. References« CA State Animal Cruelty Map
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