A stag which was on the loose in Newry, Co. Down has been shot dead by specially trained firearms officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
A spokesperson from the PSNI said that the stag was found to be running loose in the St Patrick’s Avenue area of the city this morning.
It is as yet unknown whether the stag was a wild deer or a farmed deer.
“Several attempts were made to safely and humanely manage the animal. Regrettably officers were required to shoot the stag as it had become very agitated and posed a risk to the public.
“Officers had liaised with a vet and qualified deer stalkers were in attendance at the scene,” the spokesperson said.
As is normal procedure the office of the Police Ombudsman has been informed of the incident.
It is understood that police in Newry began dealing with the loose deer around 8am this morning and had advised the public not to approach the animal.
After several attempts by the PSNI and the appropriate authorities to try and safely manage the animal this morning specially trained firearms officers were tasked to assist, which resulted in the stag being shot.
Also Read: Cattle shot on Monaghan farm after receivers move inIn November of last year, a wild stag was shot by a PSNI armed response unit at a County Antrim school where it was found that the deer also posed a danger to the public.
A statement from the PSNI at the time said that regrettably, after consultation with the vet working with officers at the scene, the PSNI was required to shoot the stag as it had become very agitated and posed a risk to the public.