Rampaging bullock shot on streets of Birmingham

A bullock was shot dead after it escaped from an abattoir and rampaged along streets in Birmingham.

The animal was seen in Balsall Heath, leading to roads being closed while police tried to deal with the situation.

Firearms officers were called out as a vet decided it was too dangerous to tranquilise the animal because its behaviour was unpredictable.

Roads reopened shortly after the bull was killed on Wednesday morning.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "The vet's assessment was it would be too dangerous to tranquilise due to the animal being unpredictable and it being a busy built-up area, so the decision was made to destroy the animal to ensure public safety."

The bullock was seen on Haden Way, Balsall Heath, shortly before 0700 GMT.

Rolling road closures were put in place as the animal ran around busy neighbouring streets, police said.

The roads were reopened by 0900 GMT.