Texas mayor killed in apparent donkey attack

(CBS/AP) HOLLYWOOD PARK, Texas - A South Texas mayor has been found dead after apparently being attacked by a 500-pound donkey on his ranch.

The Atascosa County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that the death of Hollywood Park Mayor William "Bill" Bohlke appears to be an accident. Bohlke was 65.

Chief Deputy David Soward says Bohlke apparently was attacked Monday morning by an aggressive male donkey he kept on the ranch. His body was found Monday night during a search by deputies and relatives. A formal cause of death is pending.

"It is with great regret that we, the family of Bill Bohlke, wish to inform you of his passing last night, August 27th, 2012," said Bohlke's family in a statement. "Bill suffered a fatal injury while taking care of his prized cow herd near Pleasanton last evening."

A vigil for the mayor is planned on Monday, Sept. 3 at 7:00 p.m. CT at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, and a mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. CT at the same church the following morning.

"Bill, your mayor, dearly loved serving you, our community, and we only wish he was here to continue doing so," the family's statement said.

Soward says it's up to the family to decide what to do with the donkey.

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Phillips will serve as acting mayor of Hollywood Park, a town of about 3,000 just north of San Antonio.