A rogue ram's rampage against cyclists on the Lake Dunstan Cycle and Walking Trail. Photo / Supplied
A rogue ram's rampage on the Lake Dunstan Cycle and Walking Trail on Wednesday ended almost as quickly as it escalated.
The animal was put down that evening.
While cyclists had been reporting encounters with the ram for about a week, on Wednesday the ram launched a full-scale attack that ultimately cost him his life.
Among the victims of the attack were Wayne Hawker and wife Alison of Christchurch.
They were greeted with the ram's full rage about 11am in what Wayne Hawker said was a sustained attack on the Clyde side of the trail's landmark suspension bridge.
Yesterday, a bruised Mr Hawker described how the attack unfolded.
"We'd just come over the Hugo Bridge and were coming along this flat plateau and there was just this bloody ram on the track."
The ram first attacked Mrs Hawker's bike, ramming the front wheel before turning his attention to Mr Hawker.
Arriving in Clyde, Mr Hawker was treated by the staff at bike tour and cycle hire business Bike it Now, who dressed his wounds and sought medical attention before the couple caught the shuttle back to Cromwell where they were staying.
Mr Hawker said it was not the 72nd birthday celebration he had envisaged but was determined he and his wife would continue their South Island road trip.
He had no idea what sparked the ram's rampage.
"It just had it in its head to attack people."
Trail manager for the Lake Dunstan, Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold Trails Shayne O'Connor confirmed yesterday he had shot the ram.
He had heard about it about a week ago but described Wednesday as a "crazy day".
He opted for the former and said it was the swiftest solution to what was a potentially dangerous situation for users of the trail.
Because of the terrain, other options such as mustering the ram out with a team of dogs would have meant the terror situation dragged out far longer, he said.