Wayward Cows Killed By Gunfire In Burlington: Reports

BURLINGTON, CT — A situation that previously had the Burlington & Canton Animal Control Department joking about the wayward wanderings of three cattle that got loose has ended badly for the bovines.

According to WVIT Channel 30, the owner of the cattle shot and killed all three of the dark-colored creatures by a roadway to "euthanize" them.

The tv station broadcast graphic footage of an individual shooting the cows, under the supervision of local animal control officers and with permission from the state, according to WVIT.

WTNH Channel 8 reports the state Department of Agriculture gave the OK to shoot the cows and also said a Burlington constable assisted in that operation.

Earlier in the week, the escaped cows — who got out of a trailer on Monday — were the subject of often humorous reports from the Burlington & Canton Animal Control Department, with social media accounts warning people to stay away from the large creatures.

The town of Burlington and Canton share animal control services.

One updated Burlington & Canton Animal Control post, even, featured a cow-theme pun saying they were on the "mooooove."

But that changed Wednesday when the decision to shoot and kill the cows was made.

As of Friday morning, the Burlington & Canton Animal Control Department had taken down Facebook posts alluding to the situation.

The situation did not go over well with some.

One woman posted an angry response on Facebook Thursday night condemning the incident.

"This is absolutely APPALLING," she wrote on Facebook. "3 cows who got loose, probably cause of the owner's crappy fencing, happily roaming around Burlington, Connecticut last night, are now dead today!!! Did absolutely nothing wrong, were no threat to anyone or anything. And the #burlingtonctpolice purposely corraled the cows and the owner shot them infront of neighbors and onlookers in an area where bullet's could have hit homes and people. "

WVIT's report included a graphic, 4-minute, 43-second video of the fatal end of the cattle and included warnings to those who might be sensitive to such footage.

For the full, WVIT Channel 30 report, click on this link.

For the full, WTNH Channel 8 report, click on this link.

From Aug. 8: 'Burlington/Canton Animal Control: Cows On The MOOOOVE: UPDATE'