Water buffalo injured by bullies

Oink is on anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce his swelling

A water buffalo in Derbyshire has been has been left with an ankle injury and limp after being bullied by locals.

Oink, a rescued buffalo who weighs more than a tonne, lives on a patch of land in Darley Abbey village.

His owner Katherine Moor said young people had thrown bricks at him, his hay had been set on fire and someone put washing-up liquid in his water.

Ms Moor said the ankle injury was probably caused when someone made Oink jump and he tripped on uneven ground.

She said the harassment got worse during the holidays and his attackers were usually too quick for the police.

She said: "It makes him very frightened and costs us a lot of money because the vet is in and out all the while.

"He is on anti-inflammatory medication at the moment to take the swelling down."

Comfort food

To comfort the vegetarian water buffalo, Ms Moor sometimes feeds him his favourite food - fruit scones.

She has had to take more security measures, such as putting his hay out of sight on his patch of land, informally called Oink's Place, near Haslam's Lane.

Ms Moor said Oink was expensive to keep and she needs help to provide the 15-year-old animal with special fencing to protect him.

Derbyshire police said they were aware of the problems and their wildlife crime officers would be contacting Ms Moor.