DISCOVERY BAY — Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputies put down a bull who approached first responders after apparently killing a rancher Thursday, authorities said.
In a statement, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District officials said that firefighters responded shortly before noon to a field just west of the 2300 block of Bixler Road about a half-mile south of Point of Timber Road for a report of an unresponsive rancher, as well as a bull described as acting aggressively. Sheriff’s deputies and county animal-control staff also joined firefighters.
When firefighters arrived, they found the rancher, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Soon after, the bull approached, and ignored a warning shot from deputies who then put the bull down to protect other first responders.
The rancher’s name was not immediately available pending next-of-kin notification, a Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office coroner’s division deputy said Thursday afternoon. Officials did not offer any information on a potential cause of death.
“We’d like to offer our condolences to the rancher and would like to thank Contra Costa Sheriff Deputies for their actions,” the fire district statement read in part.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
Source: www.mercurynews.com