Five pigs shot dead after escaping onto A127 near Southend

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 17:29 · Archive

Five pigs loose on the A127 near Southend were shot dead by police on 18 October after the road was closed for two hours.

Five pigs escaped onto the A127 near Southend between Halfway House and Dunton on Sunday, 18 October, forcing the busy dual carriageway to close in both directions. The road remained closed from 2pm for about two hours during the operation.

Essex Police confirmed that five pigs had to be 'dispatched' to prevent harm to the public. A police spokesperson said the safety of the public was their primary concern and that they sought advice from the Animal and Plant Health Agency about the potential risk of serious harm the pigs could cause.

Residents at the scene reported hearing shots during the operation. At least six police cars and an ambulance attended the incident.

Animal rights group PETA has spoken out against the use of lethal force. Elisa Allen, vice president of programmes at PETA, said: 'Where there's a will, there's usually a way to round up frightened pigs without resorting to lethal force but rather than pointing a finger at the police officers who responded, let's ask why these animals ended up on a busy dual carriageway in the first place.'

Allen called for anyone found negligent to be held accountable and urged members of the public upset by the incident to consider the fate of millions of animals in slaughterhouses.

Five pigs shot dead after escaping onto A127 near Southend — Image: Echo (Basildon)

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How it is being reported

Animal rights group speaks out after five 'frightened pigs' shot on A127Animal rights group, PETA has spoken out after five pigs were shot dead on the A127 after escapingEcho (Basildon) · 20 Oct, 17:00
Animal rights group speaks out after five 'frightened pigs' shot on A127Animal rights group, PETA has spoken out after five pigs were shot dead on the A127 after escapingColchester Gazette · 20 Oct, 17:00
Animal rights group speaks out after five 'frightened pigs' shot on A127Animal rights group, PETA has spoken out after five pigs were shot dead on the A127 after escapingBrentwood Guardian · 20 Oct, 17:00

In this story: PETA · Essex Police · Elisa Allen · Animal and Plant Health Agency · A127 · Southend

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