A cow has been shot dead by armed police after escaping onto the Central Motorway in Newcastle.
Police officers were called to the Central Motorway in the Cowgate area on Wednesday at around 9pm after four cows were found loose on the road.
Three of the cows were brought back to safety but a fourth was found to be "distressed" on a field next to the motorway.
The animal was shot by firearms officers at the scene.
Northumbria Police said the decision was taken to kill the cow "due to the potential risk to the public and motorists".
A force spokesman said: "Three cows have been brought to safety however, sadly, one cow was found in a distressed state on a field next to the motorway.
"Due to the potential risk to the public and motorists, the animal has been destroyed by firearms officers at the scene."
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Police remained at the scene while the animal's body was recovered and the Central Motorway remained open.
Some members of the public reacted angrily to news of the cow's death on social media while others said they agreed with the decision.
This is not the first time armed police have been called in to shoot a cow.
Three cows escaped from a farm in Wallsend in May 2015 and officers had to try to keep the animals off the busy A1058 Coast Road.
One of the cows, known as Bessie, was in a "highly distressed state" and was shot by police.
The other two cows were returned safely.
A number of 'mourners' paid tribute to Bessie in a vigil a few days later with candles lit in her memory.
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