Police shoot runaway bullock dead near Solihull school

An escaped bullock which ran through the grounds of a school in Birmingham has been shot dead by police.

A West Midlands Police marksman killed the animal after it moved too close to the M42 motorway, causing it to pose "an increased danger to the public", according to the force.

Officers were alerted to reports of the escaped bullock in Monkspath Hall Road in Solihull, near Birmingham, on Monday morning.

During the incident, the animal strayed on to the grounds of Monkspath Junior and Infant School as the animal’s owner and officers tried to get it back under control.

Police have since stressed that "at no time" were pupils and staff in any danger.

According to the Birmingham Mail, the school had to go into "lockdown" after the animal, reportedly named Monk, made its way on to the school grounds.

It was also spotted passing through Shirley town centre.

A spokesman for the force said: "Attempts were made to try and capture the bullock within the school grounds, but it escaped.

"The bullock was tracked near to the M42 and because of an increased danger to the public it was sadly shot by a police marksman this afternoon."

Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman said officers had made "every effort" not to kill the animal.

She said: "We made every effort this morning to try and bring this to a happy conclusion, but we had to put the public first and sadly the bullock had to be shot by a police marksman.

"Thanks to all the local residents for their understanding."

(c) Sky News 2017: Police shoot runaway bullock dead near Solihull school