Police Taser 80 animals in three years: Targets include 75 dogs and a cow on loose in town centre Officers say they fired stun guns to protect public and colleagues 50,000-volt weapon used against 75 dogs, two cows and a sheep Most of the dogs which were subdued were pit-bulls or mastiffs Police have shot almost 80 animals with Taser stun-guns since 2010, figures show. Officers say they fired the 50,000-volt stun guns to protect the public and their colleagues from aggressive animals. The weapon was deployed against 75 dogs, two cows and a sheep. Figures from police forces across the country show that most of the dogs which were subdued were pit-bulls or mastiffs. Figures: Officers say they fired the 50,000-volt stun guns to protect the public and their colleagues from aggressive animals. The weapon was deployed against 75 dogs, two cows and a sheep (file picture) Scotland Yard has used Tasers on 12 dogs, including an out-of-control bull mastiff which was shot by three officers last summer. The police log said the dog was fired at because it had attacked members of the public in the street and became aggressive towards officers. In another incident earlier this year a Metropolitan Police officer Tasered a Staffordshire Terrier after it attacked a man in public gardens. The report said: 'Upon arrival male seen covered in blood lying on ground with a dog biting his arms and legs. Officer discharged Taser to prevent any further injuries. Police in north Devon stunned a ram after it ran across traffic on the A30 near Okehampton and they were "unable to contain it." And Lancashire police Tasered eight animals, including an cow which had escaped from a farm and was found in a town centre. Shootings: Scotland Yard has used Tasers on 12 dogs, including an out-of-control bull mastiff which was shot by three officers last summer The incident report on the cow said: 'Taser deployed to safely recapture animal which had sustained minor injuries.' Meanwhile Cumbria Constabulary fired a Taser gun at a lurcher that was causing traffic to swerve on the M6 motorway. 'Animals in these circumstances can be utterly panicked and the reaction shouldn't be violence' Andrew Tyler, Animal Aid director And Nottinghamshire Police shot six animals, including a 'dangerous pit bull in a public park with a children's play area' after it attacked its owner and bystanders. Almost 30 forces admitted using the weapons on animals claiming it was necessary to protect officers and members of the public. But animal charities accused officers of 'undue violence' and said reaching for a Taser as a first reaction is 'precisely the wrong approach'. Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid said: 'Animals in these circumstances can be utterly panicked and the reaction shouldn't be violence.'