Camel Kills Two Friends In Front Of Families At Tennessee Petting Zoo

Petting Zoos are the perfect day-out but that won’t be the case anymore for families in Obion. Tennessee. In a strange turn of events, two men were killed by a camel at a petting zoo. The camel has since been put down.

The two men were friends and have been described as “great people.” The men died on Thursday afternoon after a scary encounter with a camel at Shirley Farms in Obion, Tennessee. It is said that the men tried to help catch the escaped animal.

The Obion County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that Deputies received a call around 5.44pm of a camel attacking people near Shirley Farms. They arrived at the scene and found two unconscious men while the camel was still on the loose. The deceased victims were identified as Bobby Matheny, 42, and Tommy Gunn, 67.

The animal remained aggressive when the law enforcement officials arrived. “It was at this time officers had to put the camel down for the safety of everyone on scene.” Obion authorities said. The camel attacked an Obion county sheriff’s office vehicle then move[d] towards deputies who were attempting to move a victim to emergency medical services. Inspectors from the US Department of Agriculture had noted alleged animal care and regulatory issues at the petting zoo.

A family member of one of the victims told News Channel 5 that the two men were trying to help capture the camel when the animal cornered them and attacked, stomping them to the ground. “Both of them were great people. They would do anything they could for you,” the victims’ friend Lisa Bell exclusively told The Sun. Pictured below, Bobby Matheny was identified as one of the victims. RIP.

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