An injured cow that was repeatedly run over by a police car has been offered an “idyllic” nursing home at a nearby animal sanctuary.
The shocking incident occurred on Friday night in Staines-upon-Thames when the cow was repeatedly run over by a Surrey Police 4×4 police car.
Officers claimed this was done to protect the public after they spent two hours trying to capture the animal after it escaped from its pasture about five miles from where the incident occurred.
But witnesses and animal rights activists argued that the cow posed no danger to anyone and that the situation was completely mismanaged.
Now, The Retiro Animal Sanctuary offered to rehome the 10-month-old breeding heifer named Beau Lucy, who was left with a “large gash” on her leg and superficial injuries.
Although she is now being cared for on her farm and has received veterinary treatment, Billy H Thompson, founder and director of the sanctuary, said he would like to offer Beau a full life in a sanctuary after her ordeal.
He said he could “absolutely” take in the calf and offered insight into the life she could have at the sanctuary.
“We have long, lush pastures and shady pastures under mature oak trees – it’s all very idyllic,” he said of the Kent-based establishment.
“We have 18 cows that live with us. They are two separate herds and are all terribly individual, with incredible personalities, just like dogs and cats.
“I think when we talk about these things, the wider British public absolutely understands this. Even those who are not vegetarian or vegan will want that cow to be rehomed.
“I would love to see this little calf given to an animal sanctuary. It would be a dream come true for me.”
Thompson noted that this is not the first time a cow has been forcibly run over by a police car to arrest it.
As reported by Berkshire livea similar incident occurred in 2021 when a cow was deliberately mowed down by Thames Valley Police near the A3290.
This incident sparked similar outrage from the public, with Facebook user Natalie Shaw writing: “The cops should be investigated, there was no need to crack down like that.”
Thompson believes the cow in Staines-upon-Thames could have easily been seized without the use of force.
He added: “The little thing was terrified. Even with a fearful animal, you can be absolutely gentle and push it where you want it to go.
“Nobody was really at risk of anything – she was a little calf. The police could have gotten out of the car, raised their arms and gently cornered her somewhere.
“It’s so disappointing. We must be a nation of animal lovers.”
The cow’s owner, Rob, and his partner, Kate, echoed these thoughts and agreed that the police involved did not know enough about the farm animals to properly handle the situation.
Kate said Beau Lucy was “very scared” and “agitated” when she returned to him.
She said the animal was simply “scared” at the time of the police incident and posed no danger to the public when it was repeatedly run over by police.
“Honestly, when I saw the video, I thought he should lose his job. I just thought it was disgusting, I couldn’t believe it,” she said.
“I don’t know if it was his decision to attack the animal or if he was instructed to do so, but the police, when they got out of the car, seemed quite agitated.
“I can only imagine that the police who did this had no idea about farm animals.”
Although there is no suggestion that the Staines farm from which the calf escaped had anything other than high ethical and welfare standards, some are now calling for Beau Lucy to live a longer life elsewhere.
The sanctuary’s founder explained that as a 10-month-old beef cow, Beau Lucy will likely be slaughtered sometime next year when she is 22 months old.
The Human League reports that the natural life expectancy of a cow is 15 to 20 years.
Thompson’s opinion on what should happen to the cow was echoed by PETA, which said The Independent that the animal should be rehomed “urgently”.
PETA Vice President of Programs Elisa Allen said: “The young calf must have been completely terrified and confused when he was cruelly and violently mowed down – by a police car no less – and pinned to the ground.
“There is no justification for this violence. The police were created to protect, not to harm.
“An investigation into the actions of the officers involved must be carried out urgently and the calf must be safely rehoused in a sanctuary.”
Following the shocking incident, Surrey Police released a statement revealing that an officer involved in the incident has been removed from public duty pending an investigation.
The RSPCA has also offered to work with the police force to better equip them to deal with farmed animals.
The Independent has contacted Surrey Police and Thames Valley Police for further comment.
