A rampaging bull has been shot dead by firearms cops after charging towards people near a primary school. Officers were forced to “dispatch” the beast after it was spotted roaming in an “agitated state” in Haslington, Cheshire, on Wednesday shortly before 9am.
Police and the animal’s owner attempted to get it under control in Wells Avenue before anyone got hurt but were unsuccessful. The decision was made to shoot the bull due to the “real risk” it posed to members of the public, the Mirror reports.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “Local officers, supported by firearms officers, attended the scene and local residents, including the nearby school, were advised to stay inside as the bull in its agitated state posed an immediate threat to their safety.
"There was also a real risk of the bull escaping onto the main road and surrounding housing estates which could have caused a serious accident.
"Officers with the help of the owner attempted to secure the bull but the owner was unable to do so and the immediate danger to the public and the officers was high.
"A decision had to be made to dispatch the animal before anyone was seriously hurt. This decision is never taken lightly and the main focus here was to protect residents, some of whom were dropping children off at the nearby school."
One local wrote on social media: "It's terrified me what could have happened, it nearly charged me but I fell forward out of the way.
"My daughter was on her own further down the path as it changed ahead. I hope the police will take this matter further with whoever allowed the animal to escape."
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