POLICE SHOOTING QUESTIONED

SAFE has criticised the actions of an Auckland police officer following a distressing report of a terrified Hereford bull being shot 12 times before being killed. The breeding bull broke through a number of fences and was apparently unable to be controlled. Police said the officer at the scene felt the animal would have caused havoc if allowed to gain access to a nearby busy road.

A police officer fired 12 shots before the animal died. In an article in the New Zealand Herald campaign director Hans Kriek questioned if the police officer was properly trained to manage such an incident or aware of how to shoot and kill this type of animal in a way that would avoid any needless suffering. Hans also questioned the need to shoot the animal in the first place as the use of a tranquilliser gun seemed more appropriate under the circumstances.

SAFE hopes this incident will prompt the police to review its policies with regards to escaped livestock so that future events can be dealt with in a more humane manner.

11 January 2008