Bison rancher lets animals inside

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GRANDVIEW, Manitoba, July 12 (UPI) -- An 80-year-old Canadian bison rancher says people have come from around the world to see his prized animals, which he allows to roam around his house.

Henry Makinson, whose farm is located about halfway between Grandview and Roblin in Manitoba, said he sold a female for more than $48,000, more than five times the price of an average bison, because of the beauty and health of his animals, the Winnipeg Free Press reported Monday.

Makinson said his bison, which perform tricks, including a conga-like dance, for rodeos and over events, are allowed to roam his one-room farmhouse as well as his larger home, although some of them choose to stay out.

"They hate walking on linoleum," Makinson said. "But Cathy (one of the bison) will get in my living room with the carpeting and she doesn't want to leave. She just wants to lie down and snooze."

Makinson said he has suffered numerous injuries while training and performing with the bison. He was trampled last year when a gate was left open while he was loading the animals into a vehicle. However, he said he loves the creatures as pets and has no plans to get rid of them.

Makinson said other bison ranchers "think I'm crazy, because a buffalo will kill you."