Ishpeming Police on Monday said they killed the adult female moose that had wandered into the town with her two calves, the Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday.

Authorities have said they euthanized the moose because the animal posed a threat to public safety.

"The police are taking a lot of heat," said resident Richard Tyynismaa, 64. "We would like them to explain the hows and whys of what happened. I find this totally offensive. There is absolutely no reason for putting that cow down. If she was acting erratic it's probably only because she was just trying to protect her calves."

The three moose were first spotted in town Monday morning, the newspaper said.