Cow put down after early-morning wander in Waikato

Two Waikato cows experienced why it's not a good idea to escape the paddock today. Photo/File

Two Waikato cows today learned the hard way why it's not a good idea to escape their paddock.

Waikato Senior Sergeant Andrea McBeth said the cattle were walking on a bridge on the unlit Puke Rd (SH2), at Netherton, just north of Paeroa, when they were struck by a car about 5.45am today.

One of the beasts suffered a serious leg injury so one of the attending officers had to put it down.

The other cow was put into a paddock, she said.

The driver of the car was able to get out of the vehicle and was attended to by St John Ambulance staff.