Cow shot in Aberdeen Harbour after rescue efforts fail Published duration 1 July 2014

image caption The cow was eventually shot in what police described as a "last resort"

A cow which got into the water at Aberdeen Harbour has been shot after a rescue effort failed to coax it ashore.

Aberdeen Coastguard said the alert was raised close to the entrance to the port shortly after 08:00.

The animal had broken free while being loaded onto a transport float.

The cow was shot by police marksmen about five hours later. Police Scotland said humane destruction was a "last resort" but public safety and animal welfare had to be a priority.

The cow was starting to be swept away when the decision was taken to shoot it.

A NorthLink Ferries spokesperson said: "The animal was being loaded onto a road transport float when the incident occurred."

An Aberdeen Harbour spokesperson said the port had remained open, with vessel entry being taken on a "case-by-case basis".

An animal sanctuary had offered to take the cow if it had been possible to rescue it.

image caption A rescue effort was launched to get the cow ashore

image copyright RNLI/Stuart Braithwaite image caption The cow got into the water on Tuesday morning