The moment that an escaped heifer was rammed by a police car in the United Kingdom has been shared online and viewed millions of times.
In the video, an agitated heifer calf trots the streets of Feltham, West London, on Friday, charging a man jogging.
Seconds later, a police truck plows into the heifer, sending her catapulting across the street and scrambling for her feet. The officer hits the heifer a second time, pinning her underneath the vehicle.
In the background, a watcher shouts, “What are you doing that for?”
Another video taken by a pedestrian shows the heifer shaking her head and running at him while he says, “Don’t charge at me!”
Reports indicate that law enforcement officers responded to calls about a cow running loose at 8:55 p.m. The cow is said to have damaged a car and been aggressive to other members of the public.
Officers reportedly tried other tactics but were unsuccessful.
“I know that this has caused distress, and I’d like to thank the community for their concern. The decision to use the police car is one that was only taken after other methods to stop the cow had failed,” Chief Inspector Sam Adcock told reporters with the U.S. Sun. “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.”
Hugh Broom, National Farmers’ Union’s South East livestock chairman, told the Daily Mail that although the footage looked ‘horrendous,’ officers probably ‘did the right thing at the time.’
Constable Nev Kemp, in a statement, added: “I can confirm that on the night, efforts were made to contact local vets without success, and efforts were simultaneously being made to identify the owner. Why these were unsuccessful and what more could and should have been done will form a key part of the investigation.
The 10-month-old heifer, named Beau Lucy, suffered grazes and a large cut on her leg, and is now being monitored and treated by a vet. Meanwhile, Surry Police confirmed that the officer involved has been suspended from frontline duties.
Beau Lucy’s owner Rob told The Sun, that the calf was ‘feisty and upset’ and ‘scared witless’ when he managed to get to her.
He also told reporters that he is ‘angry, upset and disgusted’, adding: ‘We did think they were trying to kill it.’
The news has shocked viewers, and it’s no surprise that the incident has drawn the attention of activists such as Chris Packham, an outspoken vegan who has said, “I don’t know where to start with this. But it’s surely illegal and must be investigated and prosecuted. What sort of monster rams a calf? Twice?”