Scottish officer called backup due to cow 'phobia'

THORNHILL, Scotland, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A Scottish police officer attempting to make an arrest on a farm had to call for backup due to his fear of cows, a court heard.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard Police Constable David McTurk and another officer visited the Thornhill farm belonging to David Lindsay with the intention of arresting one of Lindsay's sons.

The court heard the police officers found Lindsay and his sons working in a shed filled with cattle, which was a complication for McTurk because he has bovinophobia, the fear of cows.

"I am told the police tried to explain in calm manner that they needed Mr. Ian Lindsay to come with them, and PC McTurk told him he had a phobia of cows and didn't like being around cattle," prosecutor Gail Russell told the court.

However, Russell said David Lindsay's response was to say "he didn't like police."

McTurk had to call for backup to detain David Lindsay and both of his sons.

Nicholas Scullion, David Lindsay's defense attorney, said the charges against Ian Lindsay were dropped after the situation they stemmed from was "resolved amicably."

Scullion said his client had been upset when the officers arrived because he had made arrangements with an inspector for Ian to turn himself in later in the day.

"The atmosphere was rather charged, given this officer's phobia," Scullion said.

David Lindsay pleaded guilty to resisting, obstructing, molesting and hindering police. Sheriff Celia Sanderson released him with an admonishment.

"This was a somewhat ridiculous situation for someone of your age to get himself into," Sanderson said. "The police were trying to do their job. In all the circumstances I'm going to admonish you, and I never expect to see you back in this court again."