CARIBOU, Maine — Several bison that had gotten loose and were wandering around Aroostook County have been put down, according to an update Tuesday evening.
"The owner of the bison had people come to the area and dispatch the animals," according to Caribou police. "Police were not involved in the dispatching of the animals."
Sgt. Mark Gahagan of the Caribou Police Department told NEWS CENTER Maine the owner of the bison shot the animals with a rifle.
Earlier in the day, police said at least eight bison were running in the area of Dow Siding Road across from the Caribou Motor Inn, according to a Facebook post.
Gahagan said the bison swam across the Aroostook River and back during the pursuit. Officials' biggest concern was that the animals would make it to Route 1, which connects Caribou and Presque Isle, Gahagan said.
The incident comes after Fort Fairfield police reported Friday six bison had escaped from their fenced pasture. Fort Fairfield Police Chief Matthew Cummings told NEWS CENTER Maine the bison were from Lone Wolf Bison, a farm owned by Craig Smith.
Caribou police confirmed with NEWS CENTER Maine that the incident is related to the loose bison in the Fort Fairfield area over the weekend.
