The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has found that police officers adhered to training, acted proportionally and prioritised public health and animal welfare following a review into two incidents that led to cattle being euthanised on two major roadways in May 2025.
The Ombudsman was notified about both incidents in accordance with established procedures for incidents involving the discharge of police firearms.
In the first incident, on May 15, 2025, at 4.12pm, police received multiple emergency calls reporting a cow loose on the Old Eglish Road near Dungannon. It was heading towards the A4 dual carriageway and was described as highly aggressive.
Traffic was halted in both directions, and armed officers were deployed alongside eight veterinary professionals. Despite efforts to subdue the animal safely, the most senior of the vets who attended determined that euthanasia was the only viable option. This was due to the cow’s volatility and the risk posed to the public, particularly as motorists had started to get out of their vehicles to observe what was happening.
Following a coordinated assessment, two officers discharged firearms using specialist ammunition, resulting in the humane destruction of the animal near the central reservation of the A4.
Police Ombudsman investigators reviewed body-worn video (BWV), footage from police vehicles, and operational logs. While initial footage showed that there was only one visible shot, further clarification confirmed that two simultaneous shots were fired to the animal’s vital organs due to the distance, safety constraints and the animal’s demeanour. The decision to aim for the body rather than the head, which would have been the preferred option, was made to ensure a swift and humane outcome, in line with operational guidance and veterinary advice.
The Police Ombudsman review of evidence concluded that PSNI officers had carried out the task to protect the public, as well as ensuring the animal did not suffer unnecessarily.
In the second incident, on May 16, 2025, at 5.29am, police were alerted by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) to an overturned livestock lorry on the M1 eastbound between Junctions 14 and 13. The driver was reported as walking wounded, and both lanes were blocked.
Roads Policing Units, NIAS, and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) attended the scene. Due to concerns about a potential cattle stampede and the possibility of injured animals requiring humane destruction, armed officers were deployed, and a veterinary professional was called in.
NIFRS began cutting the roof off the overturned two-deck articulated lorry to extract cattle and the vet identified animals with fractures and unclear conditions. It was decided that if the vet could not use captive bolt euthanasia*, as she was unable to reach or get close to the animal, armed officers would be authorised to use firearms.
Initial inquires by Police Ombudsman investigators found that the lead PSNI officer had consulted with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Humane Slaughter Team and it had been agreed that the correct procedures had been put in place.
At 9.42am, a specialist firearms PSNI officer euthanised one animal in the lower deck of the trailer that was identified as suffering unnecessarily and could not be reached. The vet also euthanised two further injured animals using the captive bolt method*.
By 1.18pm all livestock were removed from the trailer and armed officers left the scene four minutes later.
The Police Ombudsman’s review concluded no issues of police conduct required further investigation.
Their inquires found that:
- Both incidents were appropriately notified under automatic procedures.
- Officers acted in accordance with their training, legal powers, and operational protocols.
- Decisions to euthanise animals were made in consultation with veterinary professionals and, were necessary, to protect the public and animal welfare.
- The use of firearms was proportionate, justified, and executed with care and coordination.
The Police Ombudsman’s Director of Investigations, Nikki Davis, said: “Our review of both incidents was important to ensure proper scrutiny over the discharge of police firearms for the humane destruction of animals.
“Public confidence depends on transparency in how such distressing incidents are handled. The public can be reassured that, in these cases, police officers acted with compassion while ensuring the safety of the community was protected.”
*Captive bolt euthanasia causes rapid loss of consciousness by disrupting brain function. A captive bolt gun has a steel bolt that is powered by either compressed air or a blank cartridge. When performed correctly, animals do not feel pain and it aligns with UK animal welfare standards.