Before the slaughter could proceed, the owner had struck the buffalo three times on the head with a sledgehammer. The animal broke free of its rope and fled across the fields, panicking local residents. Officers from San Sai Police Station coordinated with district livestock officials and spent over an hour and a half attempting to corral the buffalo before a tranquilliser dart finally brought it down.
Upon subduing the animal, officers observed its head wounds and — apparently moved by its determination to survive — asked the owner if they might spare it. The owner agreed. Superintendent Pol Col Sathitchai Nittayawan and officers under his command then transported the buffalo to Wat Latthi Wan in Mae Rim district, where it will live out its days on temple grounds.
