A rampaging bull was shot dead by armed police after it escaped from its enclosure and started charging at people in a quiet Cheshire town.
The animal was described as being in an “agitated” state and was posing a risk to the public before it was killed by officers in Haslington at just before 9am on Wednesday.
Fearing a “serious accident” police said they had no choice but to kill the bull “before anyone was seriously hurt”.
A Cheshire police spokesperson 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.”
