Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs euthanised two potbelly pigs at Carrickatuke Viewpoint in County Armagh. The animals had been found abandoned in the area at the start of April.

A local resident fed the pigs during regular visits with her grandchildren over a fortnight. The resident discovered the pigs dead from gunshot wounds to the head one morning.

Councillor Brona Haughey learned of the pigs' presence the week before their deaths. Haughey contacted people to check if the animals had escaped and sought an animal welfare charity to take them. Haughey arranged for council to collect and dispose of the bodies through an independent contractor.

DAERA assessed the pigs as abandoned, recumbent, in distress and without identification. The department could not trace ownership or arrange care. Euthanasia followed under statutory powers due to welfare concerns.

DAERA advised the public not to feed farmed animals household waste. Such feeding risks disease spread and Northern Ireland's animal health status. The department urged reporting stray or abandoned farmed animals to 0300 200 7840.