Police chased an escaped bullock around several streets in Perth on Tuesday morning before it was contained in a residential area and shot.
The on-the-run bullock was filmed by locals on Bute Drive before being seen on Dunkeld Road.
One local resident suggested the animal had made a “daring escape” from a nearby abattoir.
“Should be pardoned now,” one person suggested, while others were concerned the animal could be injured.
Drivers in the area were warned of disruption on surrounding roads while the bullock was followed by police.
Police said the animal was destroyed after efforts made to recover the bull failed.
Many who had been following the story online had questioned why the animal could not have been tranquilized opposed to being shot.
‘No need to kill it’
One reader added: “If they were able to shoot it they were able to tranquilize it – shocking.
Another commented “No need to kill it, could’ve tranquillised it and returned it.”
Some said it was probably a “less risky” process to shoot the animal as the police tried to safely recover the bullock.
One man that had seen some of the social media videos during the pursuit feared a member of the public had been injured.
He added: “There was one of the videos were it appeared a person was walking along blissfully unware of what was going on as the police were ushering the bullock along.
“They were directly in the animals line and I seen some folk asking if the person was OK.”
There has been no confirmation of anyone being injured during the operation at the time of publication.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a loose bull in the area of the Inveralmond Industrial Estate in Perth shortly after 08.10am on Tuesday, 26 October.
“Unfortunately the animal continued into a residential area where it was safely contained by officers.
“All efforts were made to recover the bull but sadly the animal had to be destroyed at the scene.”
