Rampaging bull shot dead by police after 'charging at people' near UK primary school
There was a 'real risk of the bull escaping onto the main road'
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A rampaging bull was shot dead by police in Cheshire after it started "charging at people" near a primary school.
The owner of the bull worked with police to try to secure the “agitated” animal but neither were unable to bring it under control.
Firearms officers in Haslington were called upon to kill the bull “before anyone was seriously hurt”.
Local residents and pupils at a nearby primary school were put into lockdown just before 9am on April 19 when the bull was seen charging at people in Wells Avenue.
Firearms officers in Haslington were called upon to kill the bull “before anyone was seriously hurt”
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Officers had been alerted about the incident at around 8.50am yesterday.
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."
A local resident wrote on social media: “It’s terrified me what could have happened, it nearly charged me but I fell forward out the way.
“My daughter was on her own further down the path as it charged ahead.
Local residents and pupils at a nearby primary school were put into lockdown just before 9am on April 19
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“I hope the police will take this matter further with whoever allowed the animal to escape.”
Despite police dealing with yesterday’s situation, cattle attacks have reportedly increased in recent years.
Legal firm Macks Solicitors claimed: “Between 2000 and 2020, cattle were responsible for the deaths of 98 people, making them the deadliest animals in Britain.
“These fatalities often involved a bull attack but attacks by cows are also surprisingly common.“
Those most frequently victims when cattle attack are farmers or people working with or near cattle.
“Members of the public are also at risk with dog walkers seemingly in peril.”