Cow shot dead by police after crash

A police officer had to shoot a cow after it was struck by a car and badly injured in Waikato early this morning.

Inspector Scott Webb of the police northern communications centre said a car struck the cow about 3.20am, half way between Ngatea and the junction of State Highways 27 and 2.

The cow was in the middle of the road and suffered "severe, horrific injuries" and was in a great deal of pain before it was destroyed, Mr Webb said.

The occupants of the car were shaken but unhurt.

- NZPA