The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has found that police officers acted proportionally and adhered to their training when they had to euthanise cattle on two major roadways in May 2025.

The Ombudsman reviewed two separate incidents that led to the death of animals and found no issues of police conduct that required further investigation.

In the first incident on Thursday, 15 May, officers were called to the Old Eglish Road near Dungannon where a cow was reportedly highly aggressive and heading towards the A4 dual carriageway. After armed officers and eight veterinary professionals were deployed, a senior vet determined that euthanasia was the only safe option due to the animal's volatility and the risk to the public. The animal was humanely destroyed by two officers using firearms near the central reservation of the A4. The second incident, on Friday, 16 May, involved an overturned livestock lorry on the M1 eastbound. Armed officers were deployed alongside Roads Policing, the NI Ambulance Service, and the NI Fire and Rescue Service. A vet was also called to the scene. Due to concerns about an animal suffering unnecessarily and being unreachable, a specialist firearms officer euthanised one animal in the lower deck of the trailer in consultation with the vet.

The Police Ombudsman's review concluded that in both cases, officers acted in accordance with their training, legal powers, and operational protocols. It found that the decisions to euthanise the animals were made in consultation with veterinary professionals to protect the public and ensure animal welfare. The use of firearms was determined to be proportionate and justified.

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."