The police car (in the red circle) approaches the cow (in the green circle) in Staines-on-Thames, just outside London. (Image: X)
Surrey Police officials said they have referred themselves to the police after their officers rammed a cow just outside London.
Britain’s interior minister on Saturday demanded an “urgent explanation” after police officers were filmed ramming a runaway cow with their car.
The Surrey Police force said it had referred itself to the police ethics watchdog over the incident in Staines-on-Thames, just outside London.
UK – I am so upset by this. What looks like a young cow has escaped from her field. The police think it’s ok to ram her with their police car.
This is truly disgusting of the police. Wtf is wrong with this country
— Bernie (@Artemisfornow) June 15, 2024
The force said officers responded on Friday evening to reports of a loose cow “running at members of the public” and damaging a car. It said officers spent several hours trying to catch the animal, and eventually “a decision was made to stop it using a police car.”
Footage published on social media showed a cow running in a residential road being hit by a police car, getting up, and then being hit again.
I can think of no reasonable need for this action. I’ve asked for a full, urgent explanation for this.
It appears to be unnecessarily heavy handed. https://t.co/FsNnA9iQ2R
— James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) June 15, 2024
The cow sustained a large cut to its leg and was being treated by a vet, police said.
Home Secretary James Cleverly posted on X: “I can think of no reasonable need for this action. I’ve asked for a full, urgent explanation for this. It appears to be unnecessarily heavy handed.”
The footage drew anger in animal-loving Britain.
BBC nature presenter Chris Packham tweeted: “What sort of monster rams a calf?”
Surrey Police said it had notified the Independent Office of Police conduct, which investigates misconduct allegations against officers.
Chief Inspector Sam Adcock said “the decision to use the police car is one that was only taken after other methods to stop the cow had failed.
“There will be an investigation into the actions that led to this, but our focus at all times is on ensuring the safety of the public.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)
