Apology over herd of cows slaughter

Officials have apologised for the distress caused during the public shooting of a herd of cows on a field in the centre of a housing estate.

Residents and their children from an estate near Chirk Hospital witnessed 35 animals being destroyed and their bodies left out overnight earlier this year.

Last night representatives of public protection department of Wrexham County Borough Council said the cattle were too aggressive to be moved.

The action was a joint operation between the council's trading standards, North Wales Police and Animal Health and resulted in 67 people filing complaints.

County officials said they were unable to comment on any of the details of the incident due to legal proceedings.

Wrexham Council's principal trading standards officer Kevin Jones was at Chirk Town Council meeting with Toni Slater, service manager for public protection Wrexham Council, who read out a statement to councillors and six members of the public present.

It said the action was for welfare reasons and carried out with "comprehensive veterinary advice" in a "safe and humane manner" under the supervision of a veterinarian surgeon.

It also revealed the dead animals were left overnight so hospital changeover times were not disturbed.

"It was believed the bodies were hidden by the darkness."

Ms Slater read: "The decision to destroy was not taken lightly.

"Every effort was made to protect the public, however I can appreciate the concerns raised. While Wrexham County Council regrets it had no alternative.

"We can only apologise for distress caused on the day. To give advanced warning would have made a difficult situation worse."

She said reviews were being carried out to learn how to deal with future issues differently.

"If we had an alternative solution we would have taken it," she said.

Councillor Barry Evans said: "I don't think that statement is good enough. There are a lot of distressed people in Chirk."

Councillor Hilary Spragg, whose house backs on to the field, said her granddaughter came in crying.

The county council officials have offered to come back and discuss the issue further once legal proceedings come to an end.

By Chrissy Symmons