A charging bull that brought rail services to a halt and caused traffic chaos in a Yorkshire town has been shot dead by police firearms officers. The dramatic incident unfolded on Wednesday morning after a herd of cattle was seen running loose through Selby.
Morning Mayhem on Streets and Rails
The drama began at around 9am on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, when traffic cameras captured the herd charging through the town. The main fugitive, a bull described with steam pumping from its mouth, was seen galloping near a roundabout, bringing morning traffic to a standstill.
Despite efforts involving police drones and local farmers dispatched to track the animal, the bull made its way onto the railway. It was on the live tracks between Brayton level crossing and Selby station that the situation reached a critical point, causing significant disruption to train services.
'Last Resort' Decision to Prevent Disaster
Faced with the bull on a live railway, North Yorkshire Police, working alongside British Transport Police and Network Rail, made the difficult decision to euthanise the animal. A police spokesman stated the action was taken "as a last resort to remove an immediate risk to the public and the rail network" after all other safe options failed.
Inspector Rob Campbell of Selby Neighbourhood Policing explained the complexity of the situation. "Our duty is to protect life and keep people safe. Together with BTP, Network Rail and livestock handlers, we tried to contain and move the animal away from danger," he said. "Unfortunately, the bull continued to pose a serious and immediate risk on the railway."
The police confirmed that tranquillisation was not a viable option due to time constraints, the potential risk to the public, and the lack of immediate veterinary support trackside.
Public Reaction and a Near Miss
The decision has sparked a mixed reaction from locals. Some expressed disgust that the bull was not given more time to calm down before being escorted safely away. However, the potential for tragedy was highlighted by a passenger's account on social media.
One passenger posted on Facebook about being on the 9:11 service from Selby to Doncaster. They revealed the train had to brake hard shortly after leaving the station. "Imagine if the train was at speed, it could’ve been a very different situation," they wrote, acknowledging that while it was a shame the bull couldn't be saved, the outcome could have been far worse.
Network Rail closed sections of the line to protect passengers and staff during the incident. The event has drawn inevitable comparisons to the June 2024 incident in Surrey where police were heavily criticised for running over an escaped calf, an action described by the then-Home Secretary James Cleverly as appearing "unnecessarily heavy handed".
Police have thanked passengers and residents for their patience during the significant disruption caused by this exceptional and dangerous event.
