A POLICE officer has been taken off frontline duties after striking a runaway cow twice with his vehicle.
In shocking scenes on Friday night, a patrol vehicle purposely drove at the 10-month old cow, named Beau Lucy, twice on a main road in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey.
The patrol car drove into the cow twice after claiming there was no other way to capture it[/caption]
The cow became trapped under the cop car[/caption]
The officer will be withdrawn from frontline duties until an investigation into his conduct has been completed, the force has now confirmed.
It comes after the tactics in stopping the cow were described by Home Secretary James Cleverly as “heavy handed”.
The copper made the decision to make contact with Beau Lucy after many failed attempts to capture her.
Surrey Police said they could only stop her by using a police car.
Disturbing videos show the squad car hitting the cow at speed – knocking it down and forcing it to skid down the road.
As she tried to get back on her feet, the motor then appears to lunge forward for a second time.
The distressed calf’s head and part of its torso seem to become stuck under the front of the vehicle.
Two officers then get out of the car to access the situation before backup arrives.
In the clip, one member of the public can be heard shouting: “What are you doing that for?”
The force has now referred itself to the IOPC watchdog.
The breeding calf has no broken bones following the horror collision but could still die of shock, said Kate, the partner of the farmer owner.
She has called for the driver to be sacked.
Kate told Sky News: “It looked like they tried to kill it.
“Honestly, when I saw the video, I thought he should lose his job. I just thought it was disgusting, I couldn’t believe it.
“I don’t know whether she will live. She could died of the shock but hopefully she’ll live.”
Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp said: “I fully appreciate the distress our handling of this incident has caused and will ensure that it is thoroughly and diligently investigated. In addition to an internal referral to our Professional Standards Department, we have also referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for independent consideration.
Home Secretary James Cleverly reacts
THE Home Secretary James Cleverly spoke out following the incident on Friday night
Cleverly blasted Surrey Police and demanded an “urgent explanation”.
He said: “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.”
“At this time, the officer who was driving the police car has been removed from frontline duties pending the outcome of these investigations.
“I know there is much concern around the current welfare of the cow. She is now back with her owner and recuperating with her herd.
“She did sustain a large cut to one leg and cuts and grazes. She continues to be monitored by a vet and our rural officers are staying in contact with the owner for updates.
“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.
“As well as our overriding duty to protect the public, the welfare of animals is important to us and we know people want answers about how this happened and what led up to it.
“I am committed to ensuring that we have a full understanding of what took place and why, and we will fully support any investigation by the IOPC.
“I have also briefed the Home Office on what action we are taking and we are liaising with several animal charities that have been in touch with us about this incident.”
