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.
Four churches share £200,000 to tackle urgent repairs
Irish leaders condemn fuel protests as wrong and ‘not in the national interest’
Police probe suspected arson attack at Coleraine apartment block
More than 100 firefighters tackle Omagh industrial fire as casualty airlifted