SIDELINES...

MEAT BACKLASH

The Wigram and Hornby neighbourhoods of Christchurch, New Zealand, have been assailed by a horrific stench after a “mystery meat tosser” sneaked more than half a tonne of rotting raw meat into public rubbish bins. It began with 220kg (485lb) on 28 August, followed by another 220g on 11 September and then 250kg (551lb) on 19 September. “It’s quite out of hand,” said councillor Mark Peters, who hoped the offender could be stopped before the heat of the forthcoming southern hemisphere summer supercharged the pong. stuff. nz.com, 20 Sept 2023.

DO THE WATUSI

Police in Norfolk, Nebraska, responding to reports of someone driving around with a “cow” in the front seat of his car, expected to find someone with a calf or similar inside their vehicle. Instead, they found Lee Meyer, accompanied by a giant Watusi bull named Howdy Doody. His car had been modified so that the huge animal, with massive horns, could sit beside him with his head sticking out the roof. Officers issued Meyer with tickets for a variety of offences and ordered him to leave the city, taking the bull with him. theguardian. com, 31 Aug 2023.

JOLLY RANCHERS

Patrick Carroll, 66, and his son Tucker Carroll, 34, of Crook County, Wyoming, are facing charges of property destruction after they took action against a neighbour’s cattle that continually trespassed on their land. They rounded up 189 of the animals and bleach dyed penis shapes into their backs to get the neighbour’s attention. “This has been coming for three years,” Carroll allegedly told a farm worker. While the cattle weren’t injured, their owner claims they are now worth $500 to $700 (£400 to £563) less per head due to their startling new markings. cowboystatedaily.com, 29 Sept 2023.