Rapper Rick Ross is defending his eclectic menagerie of animals after some of his bison escaped and were found wandering around a neighbor’s property.
The 47-year-old musician, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, came under fire after a video of the gigantic animals walking through a Georgia resident’s yard was recently published on TMZ.
A voice in the background can be heard saying, “I come to the office and I pull in the driveway and this was outside. The office that I am in, it’s like a home office and look what’s in the yard. I was so scared.”
During the recording, multiple individuals appear to be trying to round up the animals and lead them away.
Rick Ross' neighbor is pissed over his two pet buffalo roaming onto her property. https://t.co/mFSrGpJMEk
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 19, 2023
Ross’s neighbor in Fayetteville said she notified local authorities but was told that the matter was a “civil dispute,” per a report from Fox 5.
“For everybody that’s wanting a statement and a response (about) my bulls, my cows, a couple of buffalos that got away in the community, this is my response: I always return stray animals,” the “Hustlin” composer shared in an Instagram story while encouraging pet owners to put collars on their animals.
“Mine don’t have a collar because you know it’s mine,” Ross continued. “When you see my buffalo, give it a carrot. Give it an apple. They’re so kind and so peaceful.”
The rapper concluded by thanking everyone who helped get his animals back home safely. Ross refers to his property as “The Promise Land.”
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“You may deal with puppies, dogs, I deal with cattle,” Ross said. “I want to thank all the neighbors, Fayetteville, and of course my team … the whole squad for making sure all our animals made it back safe.”
The recording artist also shared a close-up photo of one of the bison.
“When y’all come across Timbuktu, just tell him y’all family,” Ross said. “Say ‘I’m coming to show you love.'”
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office shared a post on Monday that seemingly referenced the controversy, though they didn’t mention Ross by name. They ensured the public that they’re working to “remedy the situation.”
“Sheriff Babb and Chief Deputy Rhodes have also been in communication with Northbridge residents since last week listening to these concerns,” the message shared to Facebook said. “While it is legal to own livestock (cattle, sheep, horses, goats, etc.), in Fayette County, the owner is responsible for properly restraining the animals. If the owner is shown to be negligent, they could be charged.”
“…we encourage everyone to use caution if they were to encounter them. Although they are mostly docile, they can be unpredictable and possibly become aggressive,” the post said.