Surrey Police refers itself to watchdog over cow car incident

Warning: This text accommodates photographs that some individuals might discover distressing

Surrey Police stated it is going to refer itself to the police complaints watchdog following an incident through which a cow was intentionally struck twice by a response car.

The pressure stated in a press release that after makes an attempt to securely seize the cow “over a interval of various hours” failed, “the choice was made to cease it utilizing a police automotive”.

Residence Secretary James Cleverly stated he can be asking for an pressing clarification, describing the actions as “heavy handed”.

The RSPCA stated the police response, which noticed the animal hit twice by a marked car in Staines-on-Thames, “seems disproportionate”.

Footage shared on-line reveals a marked car ramming into the cow, which seems to be surprised and tries to get to its ft, earlier than being hit a second time.

Within the 26-second video, bystanders will be heard reacting in shock because the cow is struck by the car.

An eyewitness informed BBC Information the incident was “distressing for everybody” who noticed it.

Adrian Pearson stated: “I believe it might have been dealt with higher. It is fairly excessive the way in which the police handled it.

“I believe it might have been handled much more humanely. I believe it was fairly distressing for everybody.”

The animal has been seen by a vet and is receiving therapy for a big lower to its leg, Surrey Police stated.

“This matter has been referred to our skilled requirements division.

“The Impartial Workplace for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been notified and a voluntary referral will likely be made in the end,” the pressure stated in a press release.

Ch Insp Tatton Sam Adcock added: “The choice to make use of the police automotive is one which was solely taken after different strategies to cease the cow had failed.”

The pressure confirmed the incident passed off in Staines-upon-Thames shortly earlier than 21:00 BST on Friday night.

It stated: “The cow ran onto various major roads and precipitated site visitors disruption throughout the native space.

“While making an attempt to maneuver the cow to security, it turned more and more distressed and was injured.”

It stated officers responding “have been extraordinarily involved concerning the public’s security, and over a interval of various hours tried various choices to securely seize the cow”.

The RSPCA stated: “Surrey Police has referred themselves to their very own skilled requirements division and to the Impartial Workplace for Police Conduct.

“We assist this because the motion seems disproportionate to the state of affairs. We’re comfortable to help in any investigations carried out.”

Mr Cleverly, writing on X, stated: “I can consider no affordable want for this motion.

“I’ve requested for a full, pressing clarification for this.

“It seems to be unnecessarily heavy handed.”

Wildlife activist and presenter Chris Packham stated: “I don’t know the place to begin with this.

“Nevertheless it’s absolutely unlawful and should be investigated and prosecuted.

“What kind of monster rams a calf? Twice?”