Mourning Bull Holds Vigil at Owner's Grave

"Number 15" may have spent only six months with its owner, farmer Alfred G. near Coburg, northern Bavaria, but it developed bonds that even death had difficulty breaking.

Alfred had a special relationship with the 30 animals in his care. He treated them like members of the family, living with them in a stable, content himself with a tiny kitchen and corner to sleep in. Alfred didn't have many human friends and turned often toward his four-footed companions for conversation, despite the fact that much of it was of a one-way nature.

When Alfred suddenly died three weeks ago at the age of 67, for Number 15, it seems the loss was especially hard to bear. After two weeks of Alfred's absence, Number 15 left his stall, found his way to the cemetery half a mile away, jumped a wall and found his owner's grave, pawing repeatedly at the ground.

"It looked like he wanted to visit Alfred," said one eyewitness.

He stayed there for two days despite efforts by locals to lure him back to his stall.

Local veterinarians had a hard time believing that a bull could have the ability to realize its owner had died and pine for him. A dog maybe, but a bull?

"It shows an acute level of intelligence. It sees incredible that a bull could find the exact spot where his master was buried, but he did it," said Klaus Müller.

After repeated attempts, police were finally able to get the bull back to his stable, where Alfred G.'s widow took over caretaking duties. Whether in the future Number 15 will be allowed to occasionally visit his late owner's grave and complete the grieving process, the widow G. will have to decide.