Courtesy of the Western Morning News:
Police were authorised to shoot to kill after a bull escaped from the Devon County Show ground and damaged property during a five-hour rampage.
The bull, estimated to weigh half a tonne, was spooked as his owner was tethering him inside Westpoint Arena, near Exeter.
The young white bullock, a Blonde D'Aquitaine, broke through a hedge and out of the showground at about 8.30pm, onlookers reported. During the drama, he smashed into the conservatory of a private property on the edge of the showground, breaking a pane of glass.
It was after 1am before trained staff managed to transport the animal back to safety.
Yesterday Nick Gilbert, senior cattle steward at the show, said trained livestock men had dealt with the situation by remaining calm and patient. "The whole incident took several hours, but that's because you can't rush when you're dealing with livestock," he said.
Police confirmed that a trained marksman had been given permission to kill the bull if he posed a danger, but Mr Gilbert said that had always been a last resort. A vet was also on hand with a tranquilliser gun if needed.
But eventually, the bull tired and lay down in a field.