Alaska police officer killed in musk ox attack outside his home

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska State Troopers court official died Tuesday after being attacked by a muskox outside his home near Nome, the agency said.

Curtis Worland was trying to scare a group of musk oxen from near a kennel at his home when one of the animals attacked him, according to the soldiers, after which Worland was pronounced dead at the scene.

Court service officers are law enforcement officers who provide prisoner transportation services, courthouse security and court documents service, said Soldiers spokesman Austin McDaniel. He couldn’t immediately tell how many animals were in the group Worland was trying to keep away.

The Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the State Department of Fish and Game are investigating the case.

Muskoxen are stocky, long-haired animals with slight shoulder humps and horns, and can weigh up to 363 kilograms, according to the Fish and Game Department.