Police have shot dead an aggressive ram after two bodies were found in a paddock in the rural Auckland settlement of Waitākere on Thursday.
A family spokesperson told Newshub the animal was involved in the deaths of a man and woman in their 80s.
Police said the pair, a man and woman, were located dead in a paddock at the Anzac Valley Road address before 7.30am Thursday.
In an update on Wednesday evening, police confirmed a ram was in the paddock upon arrival this morning.
"Another party at the scene suffered a minor injury after being attacked by this ram," a police spokesperson said.
"Once our staff arrived at the scene they too were confronted and approached by the ram."
The ram was then shot dead and died at the scene.
"Police are continuing to investigate on behalf of the Coroner, to establish the full set of circumstances around what occurred in the paddock."
The female victim's son discovered the bodies early on Thursday morning, after family members failed to get in touch with her for a couple of days.
A dead ram was seen beside one of the bodies, according to a Newshub reporter at the scene.
A neighbour Newshub spoke to described hearing two loud bangs early in the morning.
The elderly couple had been renting the property for eight years.
The spokesperson said the family were in shock and requesting privacy at this time.
Police at the scene could be seen covering the bodies in plastic before carrying them off in a body bag.
A scene examination took place today, and has now been completed.
Police are making enquiries about the two sudden deaths, and at this stage the circumstances are unexplained.
Port mortem examinations will be carried out on Friday.
