Man confesses to letting out buffalo and horses

Guilty man came forward after CCTV footage released on social media

A man who recklessly released more than 120 buffalo and several horses at two Fife farms in a drunken stupor has confessed to his crimes.

Workers at both the Buffalo Farm and Shawsmill Stables near Kirkcaldy appealed for information to trace the person who unlocked gates in the early hours of Sunday morning, allowing the animals to run free.

A number of horses were injured after slipping on ice as they made it to the main road, while the stress of the ordeal caused one buffalo to give birth to her calf dangerously early.

CCTV showed the worse-for-wear man uncoupling steel gates before falling on his face. The footage was released on social media in an effort to track the culprit down.

In a statement yesterday, the Buffalo Farm said a man had since come forward to admit responsibility following the appeal.

Steven Mitchell, who runs the farm, said: “He has been in to see me to apologise in person as well as to the owners of the stables and has shown genuine remorse.

“I don’t feel it is appropriate to name and shame the person – they have to live with the damage they have caused and they are very aware their actions have caused a lot of pain and distress.

“The matter is now in the hands of the police but I would like to thank you all for your support – it is very much appreciated.

“We have had an update on the injured horse and while the injuries are quite bad, the vet has said it should make a full recovery.”

And there was also good news on the buffalo front.

“The heifer who calved in the middle of this ordeal is now doing great,” he added.

“Unfortunately Eddie our fantastic stockman has not come out of it so well.

“When we were trying to feed the calf the cow stood on his foot and he has broken a bone on the bridge of his foot.

“They say bad luck comes in threes so hopefully that’s it when we count the beast from the east, animals being let out and now poor Eddie’s foot.”

It is not yet known if the man responsible will face any charges.

Picture: Steven Brown. Steven Mitchell, who runs the Buffalo Farm, said the man had apologised in person.