Two people are dead after they were attacked by a camel in Obion County in northwest Tennessee.
Yes, a camel.
The Obion County Sheriff’s Office said it was called to a report of a loose camel near the Shirley Farms petting zoo. Deputies arrived and found two people unconscious on the grounds and a camel loose.
As first responders worked to move the victims to safety, investigators said the camel attacked an Obion County deputy’s vehicle, then moved toward the deputies who were trying to save the victims.
The sheriff’s office said “officers had to put the camel down for the safety of everyone on scene.”
The victims – 42-year-old Bobby Matheny of Ripley and 67-year-old Tommy Gunn of Obion – died at the scene.
Tony Bargery, a family friend of the petting zoo owners, told television station WBBJ that both Matheny and Gunn were valuable members of the community and will be deeply missed.
“It is a sad day for our whole community here, because everybody likes taking their children out there,” Bargery said. “Just hope everybody keeps Allen and Brandy in their prayers because they are going through a lot.”