The PSNI's responded to online debate on the shooting dead of a wild stag on the loose in Newry yesterday.
It's after queries on Facebook about the non-use of a tranquiliser.
The stag was roaming Newry for around five hours before it was tracked down and killed.
In a social media post last night Newry and Mourne PSNI gave a detailed account of the situation.
They wrote, "Standing waving my arms may work for sheep, cattle and horses but this stag was most likely in excess of 16 stone weight, [and] had an almighty set of antlers..."
They reaffirmed there was no alternative to 'safely and humanely' manage the animal without public risk.
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