Cow washed up on Gold Coast beach shot dead by police

A dispute over a cow that washed up on a Gold Coast beach after it survived being washed down the Tweed River has ended in the worst fashion, with police confirming it had been ‘euthanised’ amid reports the beast was shot five times near a major road.

A cow that survived being washed down the flooded Tweed River and ended up on a Gold Coast beach has been shot dead by cops.

The brown cow was seen running around Duranbah Beach on the Queensland-NSW border all day on Tuesday.

Police were called after a dispute between an animal activist who wanted to take the bovine to a refuge in Brisbane and an akubra-wearing farmer who claimed to know the cow’s rightful owner.

Police have reportedly shot dead a cow that washed up at Duranbah. Picture: Facebook

According to multiple social media reports, police were unable to catch the cow and shot it near Boyds Bay Bridge at Tweed Heads on Tuesday night.

“Cops just shot this poor k***t FIVE F**’N TIMES,” one Tweed local posted on Facebook with a photo of police near the cow.

Police can use lethal force on an animal if it is causing a traffic hazard or danger.

The cow washed up at Duranbah after it was swept down the Tweed River. Picture Glenn Hampson

Farm Animal Rescue at Dayboro, which worked for hours to save the cow, said it was ‘beyond distraught’.

“We are sorry to report that the cow who got caught up in the floods and lost her baby before ending up on the beach in Tweed Shire, has been shot by the police department,” the shelter posted.

“Our team spent 13 hours trying to bring her to safety and are beyond distraught.

“Rest In Peace sweet lady. Nobody can hurt you now.”

NSW Police confirmed they had ‘euthanised’ the cow, saying they had consulted the owner first.

“Following significant flooding, police received multiple reports of a cow in distress in the Tweed Heads area yesterday,” a spokesman said.

“Numerous attempts by police and members of the public to safely contain it were unsuccessful, and the cow was subsequently humanely euthanised.”