This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-32800365
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Memorial vigil planned for shot Wallsend cow Bessie | Memorial vigil planned for shot Wallsend cow Bessie |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A memorial vigil will be held for a cow that was shot dead by police marksmen. | A memorial vigil will be held for a cow that was shot dead by police marksmen. |
The cow, nicknamed Bessie, was one of three that escaped from Rising Sun Country Park in North Tyneside on Sunday. | The cow, nicknamed Bessie, was one of three that escaped from Rising Sun Country Park in North Tyneside on Sunday. |
A helicopter and six police marksmen tracked the trio - two were recaptured but Bessie was shot "in the interests of public safety". | A helicopter and six police marksmen tracked the trio - two were recaptured but Bessie was shot "in the interests of public safety". |
The vigil is to take place at 18:00 BST on Friday, at a field in Chicken Lane, Wallsend. | The vigil is to take place at 18:00 BST on Friday, at a field in Chicken Lane, Wallsend. |
Thousands of people have liked a Facebook page set up in her memory. | |
Those attending the vigil are asked to wear a cow onesie and bring a candle. | Those attending the vigil are asked to wear a cow onesie and bring a candle. |
'Docile little cow' | 'Docile little cow' |
Dave Turner, who set up the R.I.P. Wallsend Cow Facebook page, said: "It's not every day you get a cow getting shot in a field nearby. I think we need to mark this occasion with a serious send-off for Bessie. | Dave Turner, who set up the R.I.P. Wallsend Cow Facebook page, said: "It's not every day you get a cow getting shot in a field nearby. I think we need to mark this occasion with a serious send-off for Bessie. |
"It wasn't doing anything, it was just eating a bit of grass - it probably got sick of the grass it was eating elsewhere, it heard about a nice new patch, went down and started grazing, and the next thing is police turn up and start firing at it. | "It wasn't doing anything, it was just eating a bit of grass - it probably got sick of the grass it was eating elsewhere, it heard about a nice new patch, went down and started grazing, and the next thing is police turn up and start firing at it. |
"We are going to light candles and say a little prayer for her." | "We are going to light candles and say a little prayer for her." |
Photographer John Millard witnessed the cow being shot dead, and described the scene to BBC Radio 5 live. | Photographer John Millard witnessed the cow being shot dead, and described the scene to BBC Radio 5 live. |
He said there was a "massive police presence" with more than 15 police vehicles, a helicopter hovering overhead, and three or four officers in sniper gear. | He said there was a "massive police presence" with more than 15 police vehicles, a helicopter hovering overhead, and three or four officers in sniper gear. |
He originally thought it could have been terrorist-related, rather than, as he then realised, a "docile little cow standing in a field". | He originally thought it could have been terrorist-related, rather than, as he then realised, a "docile little cow standing in a field". |
A Northumbria Police spokesman said Bessie was destroyed after becoming "increasingly distressed" and "causing dangerous and severe obstructions" on a major road. | A Northumbria Police spokesman said Bessie was destroyed after becoming "increasingly distressed" and "causing dangerous and severe obstructions" on a major road. |