Slaughter of steer to be settled in court

TWO Tablelands men will face court next month accused of butchering a steer from a neighbouring property in front of its owner.

It is alleged the brahman steer had strayed onto a nearby property at Tumoulin three years ago and a dispute had erupted over its return.

Police from the Far North’s Major and Organised Crime Squad Rural alleged the two property owners could not reach an agreement on how best to return the animal.

It was suggested that agistment payments should be made to the neighbour.

Det Sgt Mark Kerswell said the 67-year-old property owner instead arranged for it to be shot last Saturday (February 17) and butchered as payment for feeding costs.

He said the steer’s owner was coincidentally nearby at the time and watched it being shot and butchered before calling police.

The man and a 20-year-old Moomin man were charged with stealing an animal that is stock and killing an animal with intent to steal.

They are expected to appear in the Atherton Magistrates Court on March 6.

Det Sgt Kerswell said any loss of livestock would have a financial impact on a farmer.

“If people have any concerns about straying stock, cattle do remain the property of the owner,” he said.

“There are avenues through the local councils to deal with these types of issues,” Det Sgt Kerswell said.