A man has paid tribute to a beloved buffalo that has died.

Spider the buffalo was owned by Robert Allen from Boars Hill, Abingdon.

The animal was 32-years-old and after its legs gave up, Robert had the buffalo put down. 

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Lewis Foster, who would take his young sons to see the animal at Robert's barn, said it would be missed.

He said: "My son has autism and he used to see it as a safe space. He'd lie with Spider and cuddle up to him in the barn. My youngest child used to go in and call his name and he would come out to him. It's been part of Robert's life since he was a lot younger.  

Oxford Mail:

"Spider was taken to shows and he was so big that Robert had to use a jerry can to feed it because he couldn’t get milk bottles that were big enough.

"Spider was old but ihe would roll around on his back. It was so unusual, but he was lovely."

Lewis said Robert had the buffalo from when it was two-years-old at his farm where he also has animals such as alpacas and llamas that people can visit.

Oxford Mail: Lewis Foster's sons feeding a baby alpacaLewis Foster's sons feeding a baby alpaca

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