POLICE have taken to Facebook to poke fun at red-faced officers who were locked in a stand-off with a toy tiger.

We told today how armed cops were called to a Peterhead farm on Saturday after owner Bruce Grubb spotted the animal in his cow shed.

9 The stuffed toy was found in the farmer's cow shed on Saturday and police were called to the scene

The frantic farmer caught sight of the big cat and gun cops only discovered the beast was a stuffed toy after pursuing it for an hour.

Officers joked about the bizarre call-out on Facebook page - UK Cop Humour - after snaps of the 'tiger' were posted online.

The post said: "Thought you might like to share this call from Saturday night.

"Police call to attend a farm in the North East of Scotland as the farmer has gone out to check his cows and discovered a Tiger in the cow shed!

"Photographs of said Tiger were sent to the control room and an expert Sergeant confirmed it was definitely real.

"Cue numerous units, including three ARV’s and a dog handler, being sent to the farm to tackle this beast.

"Nervous radio updates start coming in stating that it was unclear if the Tiger has eaten any cattle but it appeared well fed and it’s ears were seen to twitch but other than that it was very settled. "After some time a rather sheepish sounding Sergeant comes on the air and declares that it was indeed a stuffed toy!"

Eamonn O Riain replied: "Negotiators on a stand by just in case" alongside a snap of a man wearing a Tiger costume.

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Jenny Ellie said: "Tiger's brother escaped and attacked North East Cop" with a snap of an officer on the ground being 'attacked' by a stuffed toy.

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Tracey Larvin posted a pic of a dog dressed up as a lion, saying: "I wonder what said Sgt would have made of the lion in my back garden."

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And Jjayy Mmuir posted a snap of a tiger ornament hanging out the back of a Police Scotland van.

He said: "Lol what is it with Scotland and tigers. Farmer near Glasgow had this stole so we recovered it in a garden.

"Never had so many strange looks as we loaded it into the cell van."

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Officers said they had to take the unusual call seriously but admitted it was made with 'good intent'.

Punters online couldn't help but have a chuckle at the bizarre tale after the pictures were shared online.

Si Kitchener said: "The farmer was very complimentary about the attending officers, summarised by saying "they're grrrrreat!"

Janet Edmondson replied: "Hmmmm never seen a real tiger with a seam up it's back and legs.

9 The farmer spotted the 'tiger' in his cow shed on Saturday

"I used to have one just like it but sat up...used to freak me out in the dark when I went to the bathroom."

Ian Docherty added: "Could've been a 'big cat astrophe."

Peterhead Inspector George Cordiner, said: "It's true our officers had a roaring shift on Saturday night.

"We received a call from an extremely concerned member of the public late on Saturday evening with regards to a wild animal being loose in the grounds of a farm in the Hatton area.

"Unusual as the call may have seemed, any call reporting a potential danger to the public has to be taken seriously and efforts were made to verify the sighting as soon as possible.

9 Farmer Bruce has no idea who was behind toy prank

"This included starting to make contact with the nearest wildlife park to make sure they did not have an escapee.

"As is standard practice when we are made aware of a potential threat to the public the use of firearms officers were considered as a contingency.

"In this case, they attended the area in support of the local community officers but they were not deployed or required."

He added: "Our ultimate aim is to protect the public and keep our officers safe when faced with uncertain situations.

"Until you know exactly what you are dealing with, every option has to be considered.

"The incident was stood down within 45 minutes once officers attended and established there was no threat to the public.

"We appreciate that it was a false call made with genuine good intent."

Bruce, who moved into his cottage on the farm near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, three weeks ago, had invited pals round for a housewarming when the drama unfolded on Saturday night.

9 The farmer thought the cuddly to was a real tiger and called cops

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He had left his guests and girlfriend Amy Brooks while he popped to the shed to check on his 200 pregnant cows.

Bruce ran back to the cottage and called police. And he claims the first officer on the scene was just as convinced as he was that the tiger was real.

He said: “I feel a bit silly for calling the police but I thought it was a real emergency. We’re laughing about it now but it was very scary at the time.”

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