Runaway bull is shot dead

Breakaway beast in residential area

A bull escaped from a Perth abattoir and was shot after police pursued it into a residential area where it became a public danger.

Just after 8am on Tuesday the police were called after the black bull was seen running loose away from the Inveralmond Industrial park, past the garage and into North Muirton.

A local resident filmed the slow pursuit by a police car and a police van as the bull trotted along Bute Drive. She was alone in her home when she heard police sirens and went to the window to look.

“A big black Aberdeen Angus was coming down the road. I was just about to go out but when I saw that, I could not look away,” she said.

“The poor thing, it was moving pretty fast, probably very scared.”

Countless people looked on, wondering what would happen next.

Nearby roads were closed and the bull was reportedly contained in an area near to Perth Grammar School. Many pupils were arriving to start their day and were quickly brought inside.

A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council reported: “The school was alerted to the escaped bull at 8.40am by Police Scotland.

“To ensure the safety of pupils, parents and staff the school gates were closed to vehicles and all pupils were immediately directed into the building.”

Witnesses told of the surrounded steer becoming agitated and dangerous.

Soon after 10am a shot was heard by North Muirton residents after a marksman was called in to destroy the animal.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a loose bull in the area of the Inveralmond Industrial Estate in Perth shortly after 8.10am on Tuesday, October 26.

“Unfortunately the animal continued into a residential area where it was safely contained by officers.

“All efforts were made to recover the bull but sadly the animal had to be destroyed at the scene.”