LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - A West Texas man has been indicted for allegedly killing 51 buffalo earlier this year after the majestic animals strayed from their ranch.

Jackie Doyle Hill is accused of shooting the bison over two days in early January after they strayed from the QB Ranch to a nearby one in remote King County, about 80 miles east of Lubbock.

The 50-year-old Aspermont man was indicted Feb. 16 on a third-degree felony charge of criminal mischief for allegedly killing the animals.

Hill has a nonpublished phone number and could not be reached Thursday. Prosecutor David Hajak said he did not believe Hill had an attorney yet.

If convicted, Hill faces up to 10 years in prison.

Hajak said the state’s livestock laws do not specifically mention bison, which led him to charge Hill for the value of the QB Ranch owner’s animals.