Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Racing buffalo's trainer awarded $475,000 Date: Fri, 30 Oct 92 15:33:28 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN;NATION;AMERICAN SCENE;WEST \HD Racing buffalo's trainer awarded $475,000 \BY FROM WIRE DISPATCHES AND STAFF REPORTS \DT TUCSON, Ariz. TUCSON, Ariz. - A rancher who trained a buffalo to race horses was awarded $475,000 by a jury after the animal died from eating tainted hay. T.C. Thorstenson of McLaughlin, S.D., had sued Kenny and Jimmy Murdock, who supplied the hay for the speedy, 1-ton buffalo known as Harvey Wallbanger. The Murdocks conceded that oleander, a poisonous decorative bush, probably got mixed with the hay on their Yuma farm. The animal died in March. A Superior Court jury awarded the amount Oct. 9. Mr. Thorstenson raised the buffalo and trained it after a poacher shot its mother 11 years ago. The animal had a 79-14 record in 110-yard sprints against horses. Mr. Thorstenson said his racing receipts totaled $108,000 in 1990, when Harvey Wallbanger ran more than 20 races. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM