Marksman called out to shoot runaway cow
A marksman had to be called out to deal with a cow which had made a dash for freedom from a Grantown abattoir.
The animal had broken away from handlers at Millers of Speyside on Grantown’s industrial estate.
It was the second time in two years that a cow has escaped from the premises as cattle were heading for slaughter.
The cow was killed with two shots from a rifle, according to passers-by.
It had emerged from the town’s South-West High Street and made its way into Grant Park during its short run through the southern end of town.
Millers general manager Duncan Reid explained: "We have very clear contingency plans for situations like this.
"They don’t happen very often, but the police are immediately notified as a matter of form, and we have our own people to take care of the situation."
The marksman was soon on the scene and the cow was shot dead in the park on Friday.
A police spokesperson said: "Officers were notified by staff at the abattoir and attended in the interests of public safety."
The privately owned abattoir says it is currently killing approximately 250 cattle, 200 pigs and 150 sheep on a weekly basis for its own production.
Its distribution is nationwide to retail and catering butchers, wholesale and manufacturing outlets, as well as delivering direct to catering and retail customers.
