Farmers warned after cow attacks for ‘black market meat trade’

A FARMER from Gloucestershire has been left devastated after a “horrendous” spate of attacks in which two of his cows were killed and butchered on his grounds.

Rob said meat had been taken from two animals which were killed in separate incidents in August and November this year.

Speaking to the BBC, Rob said it was “like losing a pet” and added his wife and 13-year-old child were left distressed by the attacks.

He told the corporation: “It’s horrendous, it’s like losing a pet in a way.

“It’s our livelihood. I know that we’re breeding them for meat but we’re giving them the best life in the time that they’re alive,” he added.

The first incident took place on August 21, Rob said, and involved the death of an eight-month-old calf. Two more cows were killed on November 3 in an attack which left five other cows injured. The BBC reports that all that was left of the animals were their heads and innards.

I know that we’re breeding them for meat but we’re giving them the best life in the time that they’re alive. Gloucestershire farmer Rob

Rob added: “It took three or four days for the animals to calm down. I couldn’t go anywhere near them. They were frightened.”

He said the attacks had cost him thousands in vet fees and in lost income.

The RSPCA says it has seen similar attacks on calves and suspects their meat is being sold on the black market.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We’re saddened to hear about these awful attacks on calves at a farm near Cheltenham. Unfortunately, we have recently seen similar incidents involving calves being slaughtered and butchered in farmers’ fields, we suspect, for their meat to be sold on the black market. These are shocking and concerning incidents which would have caused the calves significant distress and suffering.

“We would urge anyone who might have any information on this to contact the police who are leading on this investigation, and we will be on hand if our assistance is required.”

PC Phil Mawdsley, of Gloucestershire Police, said that “in general” such incidents are rare in Gloucestershire and urged farmers to stay vigilant.

He said: “The sooner we are notified that there is cattle or sheep missing, it gives us more chance of having an evidential lead as to what’s happened there.”