Jeff Davis deputy fatally shoots 2 bulls after loose cattle call
By: -----
Jeff Davis County, GA - Body camera video showing a Jeff Davis County deputy shooting and killing two bulls is drawing attention online and raising questions about whether the use of force was justified.
According to an incident report, the shooting happened on May 9 after deputies responded to reports of cows damaging property and wandering into the roadway.
Deputy Jeremy Nelms wrote that when he arrived, he learned that there were bulls. He wrote that three bulls appeared angry, charged toward his patrol vehicle, and forced him to remain inside as they followed him down the road.
Deputy Richie Floyd, who responded to assist, wrote that he attempted to locate the animals’ owner when he knocked on the door of a nearby home. According to the report, Floyd realized the bulls were approaching and could no longer safely retreat to his patrol vehicle.
Floyd wrote that the animals appeared agitated, were “mooing aggressively,” and that one lowered its head, which he interpreted as a warning. He said he fired a round at one’s feet in an attempt to scare the bulls away, but it did not work.
According to the report, the most aggressive bull continued toward the porch, leaving Floyd with nowhere to go. He then fired his weapon, killing the animal.
The report states that one out of the two remaining bulls initially appeared less aggressive, and Floyd asked Nelms to block the porch with his patrol vehicle in an attempt to protect himself. However, Floyd wrote that one of the remaining bulls lowered its head and continued toward him, reaching the porch entrance. Believing the animal posed a threat, Floyd fired again, killing the second bull.
Body camera video shows Nelms arriving at the porch moments later, before the deputies returned to their patrol vehicles.
Deputies later located the owners, who told them the bulls escaped through a damaged fence, according to the incident report. The report also states that one owner said one of the bulls had been experiencing what was described as “fever aggression.”
The third bull was eventually guided back to its property.