A Victoria man was attacked and killed by a bull on his farm Friday, according to a statement from the Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

William Francis Watkins, 61, of 1097 Marshalltown Rd., died from blunt-force trauma injuries apparently received as a result of an attack by a bull on his farm, the statement read.

Deputy Alex Madison arrived at the house at approximately 6 p.m. after the sheriff’s office received a call from Watkins’ wife reporting him was missing.

“Mrs. Watkins was aware that their bull had gotten outside the fence of the pasture and into the yard of the home earlier that day, and Mr. Watkins was going to get the bull back into the pasture,” the statement said.

“Mrs. Watkins had left the home, and when she returned about 5:30 p.m., she found his jacket on the ground torn and tattered along with his cell phone and a cell phone headset. The bull was still roaming free around the yard.”

Deputy Ethan Atkinson arrived to assist, as well as a friend of the Watkins family.

Watkins’ body was found inside a shed in the backyard where he had evidently fled to safety, the statement read.

“He suffered severe wounds to his body, front and back, that appeared to be from the bull,” the statement said.

An autopsy is pending at the state medical examiner’s office in Richmond.

The bull — a large black Angus with 6-8 inch curved horns — was dispatched by friends at the direction of Watkins’ wife, the statement said.