The Associated Press
Friday, Feb. 25, 2000; 11:53 p.m. EST

SPEARSVILLE, La. –– An ostrich killed a 90-year-old farmer and critically injured his 86-year-old wife.

The male ostrich attacked the couple Thursday night when they entered its pen, where their son also kept three female ostriches, said Detective Sgt. Trey Fulton of the Union Parish sheriff's office. Male ostriches are protective of females, and more so when mating.

Kicks from an ostrich's long, powerful legs can be deadly.

Sheriff's deputies shot and killed the male ostrich.