AGRICULTURE chiefs have defended culling methods used at a Wensleydale farm this week.

The spectre of foot-and-mouth returned to the dale this week with an outbreak in Bishopdale.

But one neighbour of an affected farmer said he was appalled to see a rifleman taking "pot shots" at animals from a four-wheeled drive vehicle in a nearby field.

He said: "I understand they've got to be put down, but I was really mad at the way they were chasing them round - it was like the Wild West.

"They must have gone up and down this field half a dozen times at least and they were shooting at them out of the window."

A spokeswoman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it was the most humane way to carry out the cull of the bullocks, which were not used to being herded.

She said: "We could have tried to round them up and ended up chasing them round the field all day, which would have stressed them more."

And despite the reports of inhumane culling methods, a farming family hit by the disease stood by the Defra slaughter teams.

"They have a lousy, rotten job by they've been brilliant with us," said Avril McGregor, of Dale Foot Farm.

"Today was the first time we can ever remember getting up and having nothing to do, but it is better the Defra men were kind but quick."