PSNI officers were justified in shooting ‘highly aggressive' cow heading towards busy road, probe finds

Belfast Telegraph

9 hours ago

The Police Ombudsman concluded officers had acted with compassion while complying with their duty to protect the public.
The watchdog examined both cases, which happened earlier this year, due to the discharge of police firearms.
In the first incident, on May 15, police received multiple emergency calls reporting a cow loose on the Old Eglish Road near Dungannon.
The animal was heading towards the A4 dual carriageway and was described as highly aggressive.
Traffic was halted in both directions, and armed officers were deployed alongside eight veterinary professionals.
Belfast History Explained: Who was Sheila the Elephant?
Despite efforts to subdue the animal safely, a senior vet said euthanasia was the only viable option. This was due to the cow's volatility and the risk posed to the public, as motorists had started to get out of their vehicles to observe what was happening.
Two officers discharged firearms using specialist ammunition, resulting in the humane destruction of the animal near the central reservation of the A4.
Police Ombudsman investigators reviewed body-worn video (BWV), footage from police vehicles, and operational logs. While initial footage showed that there was only one visible shot, further clarification confirmed that two simultaneous shots were fired to the animal's vital organs due to the distance, safety constraints and the animal's demeanour.
The decision to aim for the body rather than the head, which would have been the preferred option, was made to ensure a swift and humane outcome, in line with operational guidance and veterinary advice.
The Police Ombudsman review of evidence concluded that PSNI officers had carried out the task to protect the public, as well as ensuring the animal did not suffer unnecessarily.
In the second incident, on May 16, police were alerted by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to an overturned livestock lorry on the M1 eastbound between Junctions 14 and 13.
The driver was reported as walking wounded, and both lanes were blocked.
Roads Policing Units, the Ambulance Service and the Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene.
Due to concerns about a potential cattle stampede and the possibility of injured animals requiring humane destruction, armed officers were deployed, and a veterinary professional was called in.
NIFRS began cutting the roof off the overturned two-deck articulated lorry to extract cattle and the vet identified animals with fractures and other conditions.
It was decided that if the vet could not use captive bolt euthanasia, as she was unable to reach or get close to the animal, armed officers would be authorised to use firearms.
Ombudsman investigators found the lead PSNI officer had consulted with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Humane Slaughter Team and it had been agreed that the correct procedures had been put in place.
At 9.42am, a specialist firearms PSNI officer euthanised one animal in the lower deck of the trailer that was identified as suffering unnecessarily and could not be reached.
The vet also euthanised two further injured animals using the captive bolt method.
By 1.18pm all livestock were removed from the trailer and armed officers left the scene soon afterwards.
The Police Ombudsman's review found the use of firearms was proportionate, justified and executed with care and coordination.
Director of Investigations, Nikki Davis, said, 'Our review of both incidents was important to ensure proper scrutiny over the discharge of police firearms for the humane destruction of animals.
'Public confidence depends on transparency in how such distressing incidents are handled. The public can be reassured that, in these cases, police officers acted with compassion while ensuring the safety of the community was protected.'