Man Recalls Buffalo Attack Ordeal

JOHOR BAHRU, May 29 (Bernama) -- “I tried to jump over the rope but fell and was gored and flung twice,” said Shaifirol Shahlan, 45, who sustained three broken ribs in the incident at a slaughterhouse in Batu 19, Kampung Sungai Tiram last Wednesday.

Recalling the harrowing experience, he said the buffalo suddenly acted aggressively while being pulled into the slaughterhouse area.

“I was near the slaughterhouse and tried to escape by jumping over the rope used to restrain the buffalo, but I fell before being gored and flung twice,” he said when met by reporters at his residence in Batu 20, Kampung Sungai Tiram today.

Shaifirol, who was there only to observe the sacrificial ritual, did not expect the incident that befell him to go viral on social media.

The foreman at a plantation in Felda Ulu Tebrau was rushed by residents to Sultan Ismail Hospital following the incident.

“After being gored, I felt pain in my stomach and later had difficulty breathing, but I felt a bit better after receiving respiratory support at the hospital,” he said.

Shaifirol said the incident also left him with stomach wounds and abrasions on his hands from the rope.

The father of three said he was allowed to return home at 10 pm last night and was given two weeks’ medical leave.

“I can only walk slowly now. I also have to sit on a raised chair, and I can’t sleep like I usually do,” he said.

Asked whether he was traumatised by the incident, Shaifirol said he was not and would still take part in future sacrificial rituals, while advising the public to remain cautious and aware of their surroundings, as incidents involving animals may occur unexpectedly.

Earlier, a 40-second video showing the victim being gored by a buffalo went viral on social media.

--BERNAMA