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On 15 June 2024, the nation was shocked at the police’s treatment of a young animal named Beau Lucy. Footage can be seen of the small cow being deliberately and repeatedly rammed by a police car, with members of the Staines-upon-Thames community audibly distressed during the incident. Causing unnecessary suffering to farmed animals is against the law.
Following the public outcry, the incident resulted in a voluntary referral to the The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IPOC), just 3 days later the IOPC decided it does not need to investigate and has handed it back to Surrey Police to conduct its own investigation against the individual involved. The decision to refer the matter back to the same body that oversaw the incident and individual was greeted by disappointment and concern by animal charities.
On 29 November 2024 it was reported that the police had cleared the individual of wrongdoing and that “the tactics adopted were both lawful and necessary to prevent harm to the public and property”. The assertion that driving a car into a young animal was necessary is strongly disputed by animal charity The Humane Society International, which argues alternative methods were available and as such the suffering caused to the calf was wholly unnecessary, which is illegal.
Key eyewitnesses from the night, one of which was the only person with the calf before the police arrived, have said that the cow was calm before the police arrived and that the police did not try any other means of containment before ramming her. These key witnesses have also confirmed that they were not approached by the police.
Data from The Animal Law Foundation has revealed that just 0.89% of complaints involving the welfare of farmed animals resulted in a prosecution between 2022 and 2023.
Quotes
Edie Bowles, Advocates for Animals
“The integrity of the police investigation is called into question when arguably the most important witness, the individual with the calf before the police arrived, has not been approached or interviewed by the police ahead of them dropping their investigation. This case involves the welfare of a sentient animal, potential criminal wrongdoing and huge public interest, yet it did not receive proper consideration. Animal law matters; the alternative is that the passing of these laws by Parliament is performative."
Sam March, Barrister, 9KBW
“I was asked to review a dossier of compelling evidence gathered by HSI in the days following the incident. I have to say that if a charity was able to gather that volume of concerning evidence within a few days, then I’m very surprised that the police - with all their investigative powers - failed to build a viable case in the months that followed. The decision not to speak to the key civilian witness smacks of closing ranks and wilful blindness.”
Getting advice
This post is not legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you require legal advice on animal protection laws please contact info@advocates-for-animals.com.