Grisly claim of backyard butchering in Mareeba debunked by authorities

Dogs are not being butchered for food in suburban backyards of a Queensland community, according to authorities who say investigations into allegations have turned up no proof. But the RSPCA says it is prepared to investigate new claims.

Authorities say dogs are not being butchered for food in suburban backyards in the Atherton Tablelands. Picture: Peter Thompson

Dogs are not being butchered for food in suburban backyards of the Atherton Tablelands, according to authorities who say investigations into allegations have turned up no proof of the shocking claims.

Images supplied to the Cairns Post were claimed to show three people at a Mareeba backyard huddled around the carcass of an unidentified animal.

The photos triggered an outpouring of anger after being posted to social media last week. Mareeba resident Peter Thompson, who took the photos, said he noticed something he believed was not quite right and went to investigate.

Dogs are not being burtchered in Far North Queensland, authorities say. Picture: Peter Thompson

“I saw them cutting something up,” he said.

“They were skinning the meat off the bone.”

Photos posted anonymously to a Mareeba social media page have drawn a slew of comments from pet owners shocked and outraged about the alleged butchering of an animal claimed to possibly be a dog.

Beatrice Ker of Mareeba is married to a man who knows the men in the photos.

She said the men were upset by what are false allegations when all they were doing was preparing a feed of pork.

“It’s not fair,” she said.

“It’s not very nice about what’s being said and they are not eating dogs.”

Mayor Angela Toppin said Mareeba Shire Council was aware of claims but insisted no evidence has been uncovered to support the allegations.

“Council does not support the consumption of dog meat and if the council officers had any evidence or substantiated information that this is occurring, it would be reported immediately to the RSPCA and the Queensland Police,” Mayor Toppin said.

After making reports to police Mr Thompson was told the matter would be investigated.

Officer in Charge of the Mareeba Police Station Senior Sergeant Derek Garner said he was aware of rumours that had been circulating for up to a year.

“We don’t have any evidence to suggest that it’s happening,” he said.

“It was investigated when the information came through about a year ago and there was no evidence found to support the (allegation) that any offence had occurred.”

A zoomed image circulating social media. Picture: Peter Thompson

While the men in the photograph have been cleared of any wrongdoing, a Mareeba businessman who asked to remain anonymous insisted the gruesome practice was happening in other backyards of the town.

“The dogs are going missing and they are eating them,” he said.

“They were killing dogs (near) the shop, that’s when I was finding bones around the place.

“I know what bones look like, and they were not beef or pig bones.

“It’s ridiculous, it’s disgusting and I don’t approve of that sort of sh*t, but it’s being brushed under the carpet.”

An RSPCA Queensland spokesman said the animal welfare group was prepared to begin new inquiries surrounding the latest claims after dog butchering reports were made in May 2023.

“The report was investigated, and there was no evidence to suggest what you mentioned was occurring,” he said.

In Queensland no law specifically authorises or prohibits the eating of cats or dogs, however the killing of cats or dogs for such purpose may constitute an offence under Animal Care and Protection Act of 2001.

Processing and selling cat or dog meat is prohibited under the Food Production (Safety) Act of 2000.

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Originally published as Grisly claim of backyard butchering in Mareeba debunked by authorities