Middlefield Farmer

Gored By Bull, Dies

MIDDLEFIELD – A Middlefield firefighter died Tuesday after being attacked by one of his bulls.

A family member saw Eugene Wolfert, 68, lying in his pasture just before 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24, and called 911 while maintaining pressure on Wolfert’s wound.

According to Otsego County Sheriff Richard J. Devlin, Jr. Wolfert had been apparently gored by a bull after the animal became aggressive for unknown reasons.

“He had a bucket of grain with him, so it’s believed that he was feeding the animals when one of the bulls became aggressive,” said county Sheriff Richard J. Devlin, Jr. “When the EMS crews arrived, death was obvious, so at that point the coroner was contacted.”

Wolfert retired from Cos Cob, Conn., where he was a firefighter and EMT, and moved to the farm in Middlefield 17 years ago. “One of his goals was to retire to the mountains of New York and farm,” said his daughter-in-law, Kayla Wolfert.

In addition to the farm, he was always active with the Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department. “He was well-ensconced in the community.” said Kayla. “Everyone knew who he was.”

“Heaven now has another great fireman and an even greater person,” reads a post on Facebook by the Fire Department.

According to Devlin, the bull had shown aggression in the past, and was euthanized after the attack.  While uncommon, such animal attacks such as this one are not unheard of, the sheriff said.

“It’s an occupational hazard,” said Devlin. “We’ve had instances in the past where people have been attacked by aggressive farm animals, but as far as deaths, I don’t recall any specific instances.”

Calling hours for Wolfert will be 6-8 p.m. this evening at Ottman Funeral Home in Cherry Valley.