A Newfoundland Wildlife officer shoots a distressed moose in Deer Lake Aug. 10. (CBC)

A young moose in western Newfoundland had to be shot by wildlife officers on Monday after being chased to the point of exhaustion and beaten with sticks by three boys on bicycles.

Police said they got a call Monday afternoon after a young moose collapsed in a backyard in Deer Lake, 50 kilometres northeast of Corner Brook.

"The moose was obviously in distress," said Deer Lake RCMP Sgt. Jacques Morneau. "[It] could not get up. It tried several times and could not stay on its feet. The animal was exhausted to the point it was near death."

Witnesses told police that three boys, all under the age of 15, were to blame.

"[They] were chasing that animal on bicycles and hitting it with sticks," said Morneau. "Apparently they chased it to the point of exhaustion."

Morneau says the scene was disturbing for him and his colleagues.

"The young moose was calling for its mother in the yard there," he said. "I mean, it's heartbreaking, right? Two officers came back here. They were totally disgusted."

Wildlife officers put the moose out of its misery with a rifle.

Morneau said the police investigation is continuing, and the boys could face charges. He said they are known to police.