POLICE in Co. Armagh have arrested two men after claims that a puppy was horrifically killed surfaced on social media.
The pair, aged 23 and 16, were arrested in Craigavon on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
In a statement on Facebook, the PSNI said: "Police are aware of an animal cruelty case and are actively investigating as we speak.
"Two suspects have been arrested and the investigation is still in its early stages.
"If anyone else has any information please forward to our private message or ring 101 quoting ref 1135 05/02/18."
We responded quickly to reports yesterday evening alleging an 11 week old puppy had been brutally killed in Lurgan with a hammer. We have arrested two male suspects aged 23 & 16 and recovered the remains of the little dog & a hammer. An very through investigation is on going.
— Jon Burrows (@PSNICIJBurrows) February 6, 2018
The arrests come after reports online suggested that an 11-week-old puppy had been killed after being hit with a hammer and put in a microwave.
A number of social media users took to the PSNI's Facebook page to say they hoped the disturbing news wasn't true.
One wrote: "I just hope this is rumour, and it didn't happen to that poor wee pup - please no one could be that evil".
While another added: "How sick in the head do you have to be to do something like this? Disgusting, depraved scum!"
In November, a Co. Down man was handed a two-year prison sentence after he killed and cooked his dog.
Dominic Carter O’Connor, 28, was also sentenced to a further two years on licence for his "particularly disgraceful and heinous offence."
See More: Animal Cruelty, Armagh, Featured, Newsletterr, Puppy
