The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has described the actions of a theatre company and a PR firm as "disgusting and disgraceful" following the placement of more than 20 pigs' heads around Waterford City.
Criticising Red Kettle Theatre company and Slipstream Public Relations, Mr Andrew Quinn, inspector with the society's Waterford branch said: "This is a sick joke and we aren't too pleased at all that animals are being used for this... It's sick that they would resort to that level to get publicity for themselves."
Ms Noleen Dooley of Slipstream confirmed that her company had undertaken the campaign for Red Kettle to promote its production of Lord Of The Flies.
"The actions were appropriate because the central image of the play is a pig," said Ms Dooley. "These pigs were slaughtered humanely. If you look closely, they're actually cute."
She hoped "the publicity served to highlight the work that the ISPCA does".
There was no comment directly from Red Kettle yesterday. Slipstream responded for both companies.
Administration officer for the planning and environment department in Waterford City Council, Mrs Mary Breen, said its main concern was to get the heads cleaned up as soon as possible.
She said the parties involved would be responsible for removing them under the supervision of a health board veterinarian.
Principal environmental officer with the South Eastern Health Board, Mr Ray Parle, said the remains would be disposed of under the amended Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878.
A service of notice would not be issued under the Animal By-Products Regulations in the case, as the companies were complying with the city council's requests, he added.
The eight sites chosen for the pigs' heads were the Waterford Bridge; the Folly; Tramore Road; Dunmore Road; Cork Road; Williamstown, Hillview and Ursuline Crescent.
