PROTESTERS angry that Thames Valley Police (TVP) ran over a cow earlier this month gathered at the scene to voice their concerns last week.
Vegan Action for Animals (VAfA), which organises events and campaigns in Berkshire, arranged a candle lighting vigil for the animal that was knocked down on Loddon Bridge Road on Thursday, May 13.
The group said the incident, which ended with the cow being euthanised, links to a wider pattern of alleged violence ingrained in the UK’s policing system.
READ MORE: Cow protest: campaigners gather at scene of its death
A spokesperson for VAfA said the tribute, held on Thursday, May 20, was a “powerful and passionate meeting” of people who believe the cow was “wrongfully murdered” by the officers.
They said a mix of animal rights activists and local residents were present.
The group, which also laid floral tributes at the spot where the cow died, said the vigil was only the beginning of its activism following the incident.
“We will fight to find out the truth behind her senseless murder,” the spokesperson said. “We will remember her always. Her only crime was being free.”
‘Violent and brutal’
Speaking to Wokingham.Today, VAfA accused TVP of taking an “unnecessarily violent and unnecessarily brutal” response to the cow’s escape.
They believed the force’s actions were not “lawful” and the campaigners were “outraged and appalled”.
“As a group, we believe very strongly in equality for all,” the spokesperson said. “Over the past couple of years, we have seen that there is a genuine issue with police brutality.
“Violence seems to be ingrained in our police system and we feel there needs to be an investigation and a restructure of the way that the police operate in this country.”
‘A lack of respect
Last week’s vigil was the second campaign event held by VAfA. They also staged a protest outside Thames Valley Police Station in Castle Street, Reading on Saturday, May 15, where 27 activists called for an apology and explanation for what happened to the cow.
“We very calmly, politely and peacefully approached their reception desk and asked to have a conversation with someone, and were flatly ignored,” the group’s spokesperson said.
Now, the campaigners are urging TVP to release an apology, conduct an investigation into the incident, and reveal who authorised the action.
“Just recently, it was announced in the Queen’s Speech that we will recognise animals as having sentience, as feeling beings,” the VAfA spokesperson said. “This cow was not treated with respect and she was not treated with any compassion.
“No reasonable human being can look at these actions as acceptable and the situation should have been handled very differently.”
Under investigation
TVP has since made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) to investigate the incident on Thursday, May 13.
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said while it was “distressing”, he supports the officers’ actions.
In a statement, the police force said the cow was causing “a significant danger” to motorists.
“Officers attended the scene, closed the road and attempts were made over a period of time to contain the animal. The cow then moved to a residential area of Woodley,” it said.
“Despite efforts of both the police and the farmer to whom the animal belonged, the cow could not be safely brought under control. The cow became increasingly distressed and charged at a member of the public causing her minor injury, as well as causing injuries to a TVP officer and damage to vehicles.
“Officers subsequently used a police vehicle to stop the cow and prevent it from charging towards other members of the public.”
The statement said all other options, including tranquilisation, were not possible and the cow was “humanely euthanised” at the scene.
“This decision while not taken lightly, was necessary to limit the suffering of the animal, to prevent further injury and to ensure the safety of the public,” it said.
“We understand that there are some distressing videos circulating on social media relating to this incident, however we would like to reassure people that these measures were necessary and were only taken due to the need to protect the public, and were carried out in a way to minimise suffering to the animal.”
