Congressman Boswell's Family Attacked, Tiger Attacks Iowa Man

Two Attacks: What a bizarre day this has been. Some guy breaks into Des Moines area Congressman Leonard Boswell's home late last night. Boswell owns a farmhouse in rural Decatur County near the Iowa-Missouri border, near Lamoni. He was there with his wife, daughter and grandson, according to a spokesman. The intruder held a gun to Boswell's daughter and demanded money. Boswell, who had been in another room, came rushing in and struggled with the attacker. Boswell is a 77-year-old man, who's battled some serious health problems in recent years. But let's not forget he was also a U.S. Army helicopter pilot who fought in the Vietnam War. And whatever he did (Boswell wasn't talking to reporters about the incident on Sunday), he managed to help his daughter and distract the attacker. Boswell's grandson ran into another room and grabbed the congressman's shotgun. The attacker took off into the fields by the home. Boswell and his daughter got roughed up a bit in the fight, but mostly just scrapes and bruises. Everyone can be thankful for that. Who knows who this guy was who broke in? We don't know much about the investigation at the county. We called the sheriff's office numerous times but never got a call returned.

Then, there's this story about a tiger attacking a man at a zoo in eastern Iowa. What? The Associated Press reports the Cricket Hollow Zoo's owner was trying to feed the adult tiger when, for some reason, the tiger turned on him. Cricket Hollow's website says the zoo has about 300 animals, reptiles and birds in Manchester. It started with one "old, ugly llama".

Congressman Boswell Fights with Attacker

Developing: A release from Des Moines area Congressman Leonard Boswell says someone broke into the congressman's farm in Lamoni and attacked his daughter last night. His office says the congressman fought with the intruder. Boswell's grandson got a shotgun and scared off the attacker, who then ran off into the fields by the house.

Here's the release from Boswell's office:

Des Moines, Ia. – Please find a statement below from Congressman Leonard Boswell’s Chief of Staff, Grant Woodard, concerning an incident at the Congressman’s farm on the night of July 16th.

At approximately 10:45 p.m. on Saturday there was an attempted home invasion at Congressman Leonard Boswell’s farm outside of Lamoni, Iowa. At the house at the time was Congressman Boswell, Dody Boswell, his daughter Cindy Brown, and grandson Mitchell Brown. The intruder entered the front door of the farm house and physically assaulted Cindy while demanding money at gunpoint. Hearing Cindy’s screams, Congressman Boswell entered the entryway and attempted to disarm the intruder of his weapon. While the scuffle between Congressman Boswell and the intruder was occurring, Mitchell was able to secure a shotgun from another room. Mitchell pointed the shotgun at the intruder who then retreated into the fields around the house.

Besides some scrapes and bruises, Congressman Boswell and his family are fine.

The Decatur County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the incident along with state and federal authorities.

Congressman Boswell would like to express his sincere thanks to all the members of the law enforcement community who have worked through the night on this matter.