The officer behind the wheel of a police ranger which rammed into a cow in a harrowing, viral video has been removed from frontline duties. The announcement was made by Surrey Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp in a statement earlier today (Sunday, June 16).
Mr Kemp said the officer has been removed until investigations are finished and that the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). He added that the cow was left with a large cut to one leg and cuts and grazes, after the police vehicle ploughed into it, sending it flying.
The statement read: “I fully appreciate the distress our handling of this incident has caused and will ensure that it is thoroughly and diligently investigated. In addition to an internal referral to our Professional Standards Department, we have also referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for independent consideration.
READ MORE: Chris Packham slams ‘monster’ Surrey Police for twice ramming runaway calf and throwing it down road
He continued: “At this time, the officer who was driving the police car has been removed from frontline duties pending the outcome of these investigations. I know there is much concern around the current welfare of the cow. She is now back with her owner and recuperating with her herd. She did sustain a large cut to one leg and cuts and grazes. She continues to be monitored by a vet and our rural officers are staying in contact with the owner for updates.
“I can confirm that on the night, efforts were made to contact local vets without success and efforts were simultaneously being made to identify the owner. Why these were unsuccessful and what more could and should have been done will form a key part of the investigation.”
‘The welfare of animals is important to us’
He added: “As well as our overriding duty to protect the public, the welfare of animals is important to us and we know people want answers about how this happened and what led up to it. I am committed to ensuring that we have a full understanding of what took place and why, and we will fully support any investigation. I have also briefed the Home Office on what action we are taking and we are liaising with several animal charities that have been in touch with us about this incident.
“We will continue to provide both our local communities and the wider public with updates as investigations into this matter continue and will also publish these on our website.”
What happened?
At around 9pm on Friday (June 14) a Surrey Police ranger smashed into a cow on the loose, sending it skidding down the road. The force was so great that smoke can be seen rising from the road as the cow made impact on the ground, leaving its body flailing.
The cow – clearly disorientated – then struggles to get to its feet before the car drives into it again, leaving it beneath the front bumper. A shocked member of the public then yells ‘you can’t just do that’ at the police who responded with ‘out the way now’. The person filming the footage from their window is also heard saying “what the f*** was that?”
Despite footage on X stating the video was filmed in in , Surrey Police told the chase was carried out in .
The 26-second clip was shared widely on X, and even prompted a response from a furious Home Secretary, James Cleverly.
Lucy the cow is doing ‘a lot better’
The cow’s owner described the incident as “horrific”. Rob, who does not wish to give his surname, in his 60s, told the PA news agency: “I think the video speaks for itself. It was quite horrific.
“The method of dealing with the situation was incorrect. It was wrong and I think that’s the message we’ve learned. It could have been handled so much better. The videos were an upsetting sight.” He added a vet should have been involved in Beau Lucy’s rescue.
“I don’t understand why (the police) didn’t use a tranquilising dart,” he said. “If they used a tranquilising dart the animal would have calmed right down and gone over (the car) if they needed to get a halter on it or restrain it.”
Rob said Beau Lucy is “a lot better” and recovering well, but added: “Time will tell because we don’t know what internal injuries she might have. But she’s eating and she’s cudding so there’s always promise when there’s that.”
Home Secretary demands ‘urgent explanation’
The Home Secretary James Cleverly has asked for a “full, urgent explanation” as to why officers used the police car to ram the escaped cow. In a post on X, former Twitter, Mr Cleverly wrote: “I can think of no reasonable need for this action. I’ve asked for a full, urgent explanation for this. It appears to be unnecessarily heavy handed.”
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