The police officer who rammed an escaped cow with his police car has been removed from frontline duties, Surrey Police has said.
Shocking footage had emerged from Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, showing the vehicle viciously ramming into the runaway calf - called Beau - sending the animal flying.
The video's circulation online had sparked a large-scale backlash against the police's response to the animal in the road, including calls for a Home Office intervention - and while police took action to pull the officer responsible away from duties on the ground, the force stopped short of an apology.
Surrey Police's Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp, said: "I fully appreciate the distress our handling of this incident has caused and will ensure that it is thoroughly and diligently investigated.
Shocking footage had emerged of the vehicle viciously ramming into the runaway calf
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"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.
"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.
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Home Secretary James Cleverly took to social media to call for a "full, urgent explanation" after seeing the video
PA"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."
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, social media commentators reacted with fury; one said: "For real, this could have been done safely. No need to be brutal like that. What a joke."
A second commented: "No joke! Poor defenseless gentle animal, lost. Stupid, uneducated, call themselves police? I hope they suffer for this mindless cowardly act. Only powerful behind the wheel of a car!"
A third added: "And police wonder why they have a bad reputation…"
And Home Secretary James Cleverly also took to social media to call for a "full, urgent explanation" after seeing the video.
He 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."