Cattle duffing issue falling on deaf ears
CATTLE farmers are pleading for a cattle duffing squad as livestock is taken from stations weekly
Northern Territory
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BETWEEN five and 10 cattle are taken from stations across the Barkly area each week, says NT Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Ashley Manicaros.
He said pastoralists’ pleas for a stock squad to deal with the theft of cattle, had fallen on deaf ears.
The NT Police do not have a stock squad within the force.
A spokeswoman said they had sufficient capacity for police to deal with reports of cattle duffing.
“NT Police do not have a stock squad. However, (we) maintain sufficient capacity to receive reports in relation to theft and investigate reports accordingly,” she said.
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“Pastoralists experiencing stock losses through criminal activities are encouraged to report incidents to police in a timely manner.” But Mr Manicaros disagreed, saying that police needed specific training so they knew what they were looking for.
“With a specialised stock squad, they will know what they are looking for in regards to branding and NLIS tags,” he said.
He said stolen cattle were usually taken and killed on the side of the road for food.
“They (police) have got so much policing to do out there, and when someone says they have lost 10 cows and they don’t know what they are looking for, they’re going to get on with the everyday policing, not this one,” he said.
He said the economic losses were high, with an average cow valued at $1200.
“This is why our industry gets so worked up about it,” he said. “If I walked into the shops and took $12000 worth of property I would be charged with shoplifting, and it’s the same principle.”
Phillip Creek station owner Katherine Warby said they lost about 17 beasts a year. She said it was upsetting to find animals butchered with half the body left on the carcass, which happened about 50 per cent of the time.
She said a dedicated stock squad would help find those responsible, as well as deter others from stealing.
“We always report stock theft to police, but the poor police are so busy with other things that it tends to fall by the wayside,” Ms Warby said.
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“We have caught people, but not very often. It’s hard to be everywhere at once when your property is a million acres.
“I think it (a stock squad) would definitely make a difference, and would help deter people from taking other people’s animals.”
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