Alaska Law Officer Was Slain By Muskox Outside His Home

The Alaska State Troopers said that a muskox attacked a court services officer outside his residence outside Nome on Tuesday, killing him.

According to a statement from the troopers, Curtis Worland was being assaulted by a group of muskox as he attempted to scare them away from a dog kennel at his house. Worland was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel, court services officers are law enforcement personnel that conduct prisoner transport services, courthouse security, and court document service.

He could not instantly estimate the number of creatures that Worland was attempting to keep at bay.

The state Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, and Alaska State Troopers are conducting an investigation.

According to the fish and wildlife department, musk oxen are large, long-haired animals with minor shoulder humps and horns weighing up to 800 pounds (363 kilograms).