News

Actions

Video shows deputies respond to fatal bull attack on Kent County farm

Posted at 5:49 PM, Mar 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-30 20:46:03-04

LOWELL TOWNSHIP, Mich. –  After a 71-year-old man was killed by a bull on a Kent County farm earlier this month, newly released video shows how sheriff's department deputies responded to the call.

The Kent County Sheriff's Department ended up using patrol rifles to put down the bull, firing more than 30 rounds to kill it.

"This is not something obviously that we train for," said Chief Deputy Kevin Kelly, "this is not something that we purchase special ammunition or rifles for.  We just use the tools that are issued to us and we just have to make it work the best we can."

Video released Wednesday shows officials shooting at the bull for several minutes, trying to get it to go down.  The incident happened March 9 at a farm on Cascade Road near Morse Lake.

Deputies  used their cruiser to block the bull in the driveway, but they weren’t able to get by the angry animal to the victim,  Roger Bearup. .

The deputies fired 33 rounds at the bull, eventually dropping it to the ground.   Bearup was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say it appears Bearup was trying to get the bull into a corral when it attacked him.  The bull had also broken through an electric fence.