Viral PressHorrific footage shows a man being gored to death by his out-of-control animal during the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival at the weekend.
Dinh Xuan Huong had been standing inside the field watching his buffalo fighting another at the event in Vietnam on Saturday.
Relatives said that the 46-year-old had been an experienced buffalo handler for ten years – and had finally achieved his dream of owning his first buffalo a year ago.
You can see footage of the incident below. WARNING: Distressing content.
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But during the fight, the buffalo became agitated and chased after the rival owner before turning on Dinh and catching him next to the fence.
The graphic footage shows the buffalo headbutting Dinh and knocking him to the ground.
As Dinh tries to get up, the buffalo gores him and flings him up in the air – piercing his leg with its horn – and tossing him around 14ft in a somersault.
Viral PressDisorientated, Dinh managed to get to his knees but moments later the buffalo ploughs into his head knocking him out.
Dinh was taken to hospital but he later died, having suffered catastrophic injuries to his brain, spine and legs.
Vietnamese authorities later shot the buffalo and suspended the festival while drugs tests were carried out on all the animals.
GettyThe Ministry of Public Security has reportedly asked local authorities to take samples of Dinh’s buffalo to check if stimulants intended to make it a more aggressive fighter were responsible – with results expected ‘later this week’.
A number of buffalo have died in the duels but Dinh’s death was the first human fatality since the event resumed.
Officials said 32 buffaloes had been competing in the qualification rounds for the final 16 places and authorities are now considering whether the buffalo fighting festival should continue next year.
GettyHoang Xuan Minh, Chairman of the Do Son district of Hai Phong City added:
The Do Son buffalo fighting festival was set up in 1990 and 27 festivals have been held.
This year, when the 14th battle going on, buffalo number 18 was crazy, attacking his master to death which is a rare incident that never happened before.
Tragic.
