Police driver who rammed terrified calf called Beau Lucy with squad car is suspended amid backlash - as cow's owners fear animal which escaped fenced moor then 'swam across river' could die

The police officer who was driving the squad car which was used to hit an escaped cow has been removed from frontline duties.

Disturbing footage shows Surrey police ramming the escaped cow - named Beau Lucy - with a police truck in Staines-upon-Thames on Friday night.

Witnesses claim the cow was of 'no harm to anyone' and that they pleaded with the officer to leave the animal alone. Furious neighbours have berated officers for their 'heavy-handed response'.

Surrey Police has now launched an internal investigation and has referred itself to the police complaints watchdog.

Dep Ch Const Nev Kemp said: 'At this time, the officer who was driving the police car has been removed from frontline duties pending the outcome of these investigations.' 

He added: '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 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.

'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.'

Kate, the partner of the farmer that owns the cow, said: 'Honestly, when I saw the video, I thought he should lose his job. I just thought it was disgusting, I couldn't believe it.

'I don't know if it was his decision to drive at the animal or whether he was instructed to, but the police, when they got out of the car looked pretty agitated themselves.'

Kate said that Beau Lucy 'wasn't out of control, just spooked' and it is 'a shame' the officers did not contact them, another farmer or called a vet to tranquillise the calf.

'I can only imagine the police that did it have no idea about farm animals,' she added.

Her partner and owner of the calf, Rob, said: '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 also said that a vet should have been involved in Beau Lucy's rescue.

'I don't understand why (the police) didn't use a tranquillising dart,' he said. 'If they used a tranquillising 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.'

Kate said Beau Lucy and other cows were put out on Staines Moor to graze and thinks she could have swam across the river and escaped.

She said the cow, who was initially 'really agitated' and 'really scared', has relaxed since returning home. She is eating and drinking and has been seen to by a vet.

'I don't know whether she will live. She could die of the shock but hopefully she'll live.', she told Sky News.

Mother-of-three Davinder Kaur filmed the incident from her house and has released further footage today.

The 49-year-old said: 'It was in front of my house. The cow is going through the road, through the footpath. It's a very small one.

'Someone called the police. He was very scared to come to the road. The police car hit it.

'After a few minutes he got up again. The police car hit him again. Then he was hit again. The police blocked it. It was hit around 11pm. Somebody told me it had escaped in Staines.

'When he hit it we were shocked, very shocked. It was very small, not a big cow. It was no harm to anyone. 

'He was very scared. Everyone was shouting 'why hit it, why hit'. He (the police officer) was telling us to go back. I don't know where the mind of the driver was.'

The scared animal is believed to have escaped from a nearby field and had been causing traffic delays as it ran along local streets.

Witnesses say the officers tried to calm the animal for a couple of hours but decided to ram the uncontrollable cow at around 11pm.

In the sickening footage the police officer appeared to line his truck up as the cow entered the middle of the road before ramming it at speed.

As it flails around in the road trying to stand the unnamed officer than proceeds to hit the animal again, trapping its head under the bumper.

Witnesses can be heard shouting 'what the f**k was that?' in reaction while a group of locals tried to help the injured cow.

Elisa Allen, VP of Programmes and Operations at PETA said: 'The young calf must have been completely terrified and confused as they were cruelly and forcefully mown down – by a police car no less – and pinned to the ground. 

'There is no justification for this violence. The police are meant to protect, not harm. 

'An investigation into the actions of the officers involved must urgently be undertaken and the calf safely rehomed at a sanctuary. 

'Anyone upset by this footage can prevent other calves, who are mutilated, exploited, and ultimately killed in the meat and dairy industries, from suffering by going vegan, and PETA offers free resources at PETA.org.uk to help. '

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: 'This is upsetting and distressing footage. As soon as we were made aware, we urgently contacted the police to establish the background and to find out what happened to the calf. We are pleased to hear the calf survived and is receiving vet care.

'Surrey Police has referred themselves to their own professional standards department and to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. We support this as the action appears disproportionate to the situation. We are happy to assist in any investigations carried out.

'All animals should be treated with respect. Together, we can create a better world for all animals.'

Reacting to the footage on Twitter, Home Secretary James Cleverly branded the incident as 'unnecessary'.

In a post he tweeted: '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.'

Police said with support from a member of the public, the cow was moved to a nearby farm.

Surrey Police said the decision to use the car to stop the calf was made over concerns for public safety. 

The owner has been located and the cow's injuries have been assessed by a vet.

Chief Inspector Sam Adcock said: 'I know that this has caused distress and I'd like to thank the community for their concern. The decision to use the police car is one that was only taken after other methods to stop the cow had failed. There will be an investigation into the actions that led to this, but our focus at all times is on ensuring the safety of the public.

'I know there are videos circulating of this incident, which the public may find distressing. I would ask that these videos are sent directly to us to help with our investigation.'