Police Shoot "Highly Aggressive" Cow to Protect Public on Dual Carriageway

According to a review by the Police Ombudsman, officers in Northern Ireland acted proportionally in shooting a "highly aggressive" cow that was heading towards a dual carriageway in May 2025. The incident occurred on the afternoon of May 15th, when police received multiple emergency calls about the loose cow on the Old Eglish Road near Dungannon.

The cow was described as "highly aggressive" and was heading towards the A4 dual carriageway, prompting authorities to halt traffic in both directions. Armed officers and eight veterinary professionals were deployed to the scene, but despite efforts to subdue the animal, the most senior vet determined that euthanasia was the only viable option due to the cow's volatility and the risk posed to the public.

Two officers then discharged their firearms, using specialist ammunition, near the central reservation of the A4 to humanely destroy the animal. The Ombudsman's review concluded that the officers had followed their training and acted proportionally to protect the public and ensure the animal did not suffer unnecessarily.

In a separate incident on May 16th, police were called to an overturned livestock truck on the M1 eastbound. Concerned about a potential cattle stampede and the need for humane destruction of injured animals, armed officers were deployed, and a veterinary professional was consulted. One animal in the lower deck of the trailer was euthanized by a specialist firearms officer, while the vet used captive bolt euthanasia on two other injured animals.

The Ombudsman's investigation found that both incidents were appropriately handled, with officers acting in accordance with their training, legal powers, and operational protocols.