A farmer survived a risky encounter with a wild water buffalo in south India thanks to his courageous pet dog. <br /><br />Venkatesh, a coffee planter in Jaavali village near Mudigere taluk in Chikmaglur district, Karnataka was going to his estate on the night of November 15. <br /><br />His pet dog, Atom, was riding with him in his jeep when they came across an adult water buffalo in the forest. <br /><br />The animal refused to move and stood blocking the narrow road. Before Venkatesh could react Atom leapt off the open jeep and took on the bison.<br /><br />The puny pet tried to snap at the heels of the huge bison and kept barking, ignoring the command of its master to return to the jeep. <br /><br />Perhaps unnerved by the courageous dog and the headlights of the jeep, the bison gave in and moved away. <br /><br />The Indian bison is the tallest of wild cattle species and can weigh up to 1000 kg.
