Mayor, Detective bury 41 horses found shot dead on Longreach property
The grim task of burying 41 horses found shot dead has fallen on the shoulders of the regional town’s mayor and senior police officer.
Police & Courts
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The horses found horrifically shot dead on a Western Queensland property have been laid to rest as police renew calls for information about the “cruel incident”.
A total of 41 horses – including pregnant mares and foals – were found with multiple gunshot wounds on Yanburra Station, 60km north of Longreach, last Thursday afternoon.
The crime shocked the local community and a major investigation was launched by the Longreach Major and Organised Crime Squad.
After a forensic examination was completed on Saturday, the grim task of burying the animals fell on the shoulders of Detective Sergeant Allan Cook and Longreach mayor Tony Rayner.
The pair spent three hours laying the horses into two burial pits.
Cr Rayner and Det Sgt Cook said it had been a “very unpleasant task” but one that the council, along with Queensland Police and Biosecurity Queensland had needed to carry out.
Det Sgt Cook said it had been one of the most horrendous sights he had witnessed in his 30 years of policing.
“I’ve done murders, but this is a completely different ball game,” Det Sgt Cook said.
The Officer in Charge said police had received some information about the shooting but needed more people to come forward.
“People in the country don’t like to dibber dobber - it’s part of the culture of being in the country,” he said.
“But this is so horrendous we need people to break the mould and call Crime Stoppers.
“We’re asking anyone who hears anything to come forward and we’re also calling on anyone who was driving along Cramsie Muttaburra Road on Wednesday, August 4 during the day to go their local police station.”
*Anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity on this road over the past few days can anonymously call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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