The UK is world-renowned for its love of animals, with a recent study finding Brits donate on average £1.7 billion ($3.3 billion) more to animals than to people-focused charities annually. It was the first country in the world to implement animal protection laws, with legislation put in place as far back as 1822.

Surrey Police Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp said he fully appreciated the distress the incident had caused and would ensure it was “thoroughly and diligently investigated”.

“At this time, the officer who was driving the police car has been removed from frontline duties pending the outcome of these investigations,” he said.

“I know there is much concern around the current welfare of the cow. She is now back with her owner and recuperating with her herd. She did sustain a large cut to one leg and cuts and grazes. She continues to be monitored by a vet and our rural officers are staying in contact with the owner for updates.”

Advocates for Animals, a law firm, said that it has been instructed by the charity Humane Society International UK to look into criminal and civil prosecutions.

Beau Lucy’s owner said the cow was likely to have slipped from a grazing enclosure and swum across a river before making it to Staines.

Kate, the partner of the farmer who owns the cow, told Sky News: “It looked like they tried to kill it.

“Honestly, when I saw the video, I thought he should lose his job. I just thought it was disgusting, I couldn’t believe it.

“I don’t know if it was his decision to drive at the animal or whether he was instructed to, but the police, when they got out of the car, looked pretty agitated themselves.”

In a second clip, the cow is seen getting back on its feet, after which it stumbles into a front garden, clearly in shock from the collision.

She said the cow was returned highly agitated, but that it was now eating and drinking again, having been inspected by a vet.

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