Officers pursue and overrun a straying cow.
On a Friday night in London's surroundings, a young, pesky cow named Beau Lucy manages to break free. The baffled cops, unsure of their next move, decide to herd the calf through a herd. This unusual action sparks a nationwide uproar, even catching the attention of the UK's Interior Minister. As the police stand firm in their actions, calls for the officers' dismissal escalate.
In the small town of Staines-upon-Thames, near London, a video clip of the incident surfaces. The indignant owners of poor Beau Lucy demand that the concerned police officers be sacked, stating that they seemed intent on killing the 200-kg cow. On Sky News, the farmer's partner shared her concerns, claiming, "They hit her like she was nothing!"
Footage from the scene reveals the officers careening their patrol car into the frightened cow on a residential road more than once. At one point, the cow zigzags across the road before getting trapped under the vehicle in what appears to be a chaotic collision.
Despite the overly aggressive approach by the police, the cow is reported to have only sustained minor injuries. British Interior Minister James Cleverly demanded a swift explanation, tweeting that the actions seemed "unnecessarily harsh." The RSPCA animal welfare organization found the footage "disturbing and alarming," and renowned activist Chris Packham questioned, "How could anyone ram a cow like that?"
"Let's hope she pulls through"
The police justify their actions by explaining that the cow's rampage through various streets on a Friday evening left trails of destruction. Witness accounts of a damaged car and reports of the cow charging toward people escalated the tension. After hours of failed capture attempts, the decision to trap the cow with a police car was made out of concern for public safety.
The owners believe that Beau Lucy may have busted out of her pasture through a nearby river. Currently, Beau Lucy seems to be doing better, having settled down on the farm after her return. The farmer's partner expressed uncertainty over the cow's fate, commenting, "She went through a terrible experience, and she might not make it. Still, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping she'll pull through."
Read also:
Amidst the controversy, international animal welfare organizations express their concern over the treatment of Beau Lucy. They call for a thorough investigation into the police's actions, emphasizing the importance of animal welfare in England and beyond.
In response to the criticism, the Metropolitan Police releases a statement, assuring the public that they are committed to improving animal handling procedures and are working closely with the RSPCA to implement new guidelines.
