POLICE are investigating an online video which claims to show a young boy biting the head of a pigeon.
In the video, which has been shared widely on social media, the youth can be seen holding the bird while others cheer him on before he appears to bite the pigeon’s head off.
After spitting something out of his mouth, he appears to throw the bird to the ground.
It's not clear if the bird was alive or dead at the time. There have been reports the animal was dead at the time.
It is thought the video was taken in Derry’s city centre craft village last Friday night.
The PSNI said yesterday that a formal complaint had been made and an investigation was ongoing.
A spokesman said: “Police have a copy of the footage.”
The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that whether the pigeon was dead or not, the video showed “disgusting and vile” abuse of an animal.
