Taking a buffalo stance

For thousands of years the majestic North American buffalo roamed freely over the sprawling plains of the Canadian prairies.

Today, most are confined to ranches - except for 1,600lb Bailey. He has the run of his owner's house.

'My wife wouldn't let me bring my puppy indoors one day so I got even with her by bringing Bailey in,' said Jim Sautner.

'He's made a mess on the carpet a couple of times, so now we bring out an ice-cream pail whenever he gives us that look.'

When not marking his territory, the laidback four-year-old also enjoys looking at books with his owner and watching TV.

'He likes nature programmes,' said Mr Sautner. The Sautners, who own 270 buffalo,

Last Christmas was especially memorable for their 21 guests in Alberta.

With the imposing pet snorting behind them, they all sat down to dine on bison meatballs and mash. 'Bailey didn't mind,' said Mr Sautner's wife, Linda.

Although the couple's bison meat business has taken a £600,000 hit from the recent mad cow disease outbreak in North America, they have no plans to sell Bailey.

'He knows he'll never be burgers - he's an ambassador for the bison industry,' said Mrs Sautner.