Camel Attack Turns Deadly in Obion

OBION (March 10) - On Thursday, March 10, 2022, at approximately 4:44 p.m, the Obion County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a loose camel near Shirley Farms on South Bluff Road in Obion, Tennessee, reportedly attacking people. Deputies arrived on scene to find two unconscious victims on the ground at Shirley Farms and a camel still on the loose.

Obion County Sheriff's Office, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Ridgely Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Lake County Rescue Squad were all on scene attempting to render aid and move the victims to a safe place.

According to the press release issued by the Obion County Sheriff’s Department, the camel attacked an Obion County Sheriff's Office vehicle, then moved towards deputies who were attempting to move a victim to EMS. It was at this time, officers had to put the camel down for the safety of everyone on the scene, the release noted. The two victims, Bobby Matheny, 42, of Ridgely, Tennessee, and Tommy Gunn, 67, of Obion, Tennessee, did succumb to their injuries and were pronounced dead on scene.