International
oi-Prakash KL
A couple in the UK has won compensation after buffaloes damaged their swimming pool. The incident occurred in July 2022 at Wivenhoe, near Colchester, Essex.
Retired couple Andy and Lynette Smith had alleged that buffaloes had ruined their garden and pool. “When my wife went to make the morning tea, she glanced out of the kitchen window and saw eight buffaloes in the pool. She called 999 and was told the fire brigade don’t accept hoax calls. It took some persuading to get them to take us seriously,” The Guardian had quoted Andy as saying.
18 bovines had escaped from the nearby farm, and entered their place by breaking the fence. The incident was captured on CCTV.
Out of 18, eight had jumped into the pool. However, the animals were rescued unharmed by the farmer. “Buffaloes are top-heavy and the porcelain tiles round the pool were slippery so they lost their grip and once they were in they couldn’t get out again,” said Smith.
The pool was unusable as 75 gallons of water was leaking a day after the incident. It had caused £25,000 (Rs 25 lakh) of damage.
However, the couple should consider themselves lucky as they had organised a party for their young grandchildren a day before this incident.
It’s hot but it’s not that hot! Moment herd of escaped water #buffalo stampede through couple’s garden and take dip in their swimming pool – causing £25,000 in damage to their Colchester #Essex home pic.twitter.com/uYM8kZpwgP
— Hans Solo (@thandojo) May 23, 2023
“The previous afternoon, we had hosted a pool party for our young grandchildren and their friends. If the invasion had happened hours earlier, it could have been very serious,” he added.
Although the insurance company accepted the liability, they could not settle the dispute for 10 months. “It took 15 weeks for them to send an assessor round and nearly six months to offer a sum that falls over £8,000 short of the two quotes they themselves obtained,” said Smith. “We accept that they deal with claims far more serious than a damaged pool, but their failure to communicate has caused us countless sleepless nights,’ he claimed.
He further stated that the swimming pool was the retirement luxury that they purchased after selling the business.
Story first published: Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 12:43 [IST]
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