Biosecurity, welfare concerns after dozen decaying cows found at Bjelke-Petersen Dam

Dead, decaying cows found on the banks of a Queensland dam have raised biosecurity and animal welfare concerns. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is investigating the discovery of a dozen dead cows on the banks of Bjelke-Petersen Dam.

A dozen dead and decaying cattle discovered on the banks of the Bjelke-Petersen Dam has raised biosecurity and animal welfare concerns.

Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is investigating the discovery at the dam near Cherbourg, which was made by camper Micko Reibelt on November 15.

Mr Reibelt captured images of the cows, some in a state of decay so bad he anticipated they died several months ago.

One of a dozen dead, decaying cows found on the banks of the Bjelke-Petersen Dam.

Another cow spotted laying on the bank of the dam appeared to be in distress, he said.

The discovery prompted Mr Reibelt to contact the state government.

“It just isn’t good enough, the fact these cattle were dying for months,” he said.

“Why were they dying, was it a lack of food?

“Isn’t there a duty of care to the person who own the cattle to be feeding the cattle?”

Mr Reibelt raised concerns about whether contaminants from the large number of dead cattle were being washed into the dam by rain.

He said while department was quick to respond to his concerns via email, there was no update on the investigation.

“In the old days you could pick a phone up, ring a number or ring a ranger – to report anything these days you’re directed to a website,” he said.

“My concern came back to the welfare of the cattle.

“These cattle should not be left to just die of their own accord without anyone checking on them.”

Caption: Dead cows pictured on the banks of the Bjelke-Petersen Dam have raised fears of a biosecurity hazard., Picture: Supplied

A Biosecurity Queensland spokesman did not answer questions about animal welfare or contaminants concerns.

“As the incident remains under investigation, it is not appropriate to comment further,” he said.

Biosecurity Queensland is responsible for complaints about commercial livestock outside of the major centres where the RSPCA is located.

The spokesman disagreed with Mr Reibelt’s claim it was difficult to raise an animal welfare or biosecurity concern.

“The Queensland Government website contains a step-by-step guide to lodging a complaint, including relevant contact details,” he said.

“Biosecurity Queensland acted on the matter in question after receiving a notification from a member of the public.

“That complainant has been contacted during the investigation, including as recently as yesterday.