Phill the domesticated water buffalo’s escape into the suburban streets of Pleasant Hill in late August captured the attention and imagination of people nationwide. It came to an end after five days when Phill was found, subdued with a tranquilizer dart and sent to Iowa State University’s Large Animal Hospital in Ames to receive medical attention. Phill had jumped the fence and fled from an owner who bought the young water buffalo a few weeks previously with the intention of butchering him for meat.