Charges: Stealing of cattle, Rockhampton
The Rockhampton Stock and Rural Crime Investigation Squad (SARCIS) have charged a Gracemere man with the theft of two bobby calves.
It will be alleged that on October 18, SARCIS officers intercepted a utility in the Rockhampton area carrying two unmarked and untagged bobby calves, one red Santa Gertrudis heifer calf and one cream Brahman cross bull calf.
The driver of the vehicle was unable to produce a waybill for the transportation of the stock, and as a result SARCIS officers attended a Gracemere address and spoke with a 25-year-old man who allegedly made admissions to unlawfully removing the calves from a water hole near Rockhampton on two separate occasions.
Furthermore it is alleged that he sold the calves on a social media website.
The original ownership of the calves is still unknown, as neither beast had identification, including brands or NLIS tags. Subsequently, the calves were by Rockhampton SARCIS.
A 25-year-old Gracemere man has been charged with two counts each of suspicion of stealing stock, travel stock without waybill and travel stock without an NLIS tag.
The man who had purchased the calves from the offender has now made a loss on his purchase and is facing possible charges himself for travelling stock without a waybill.
SARCIS would like to remind people purchasing stock, that waybills are required for any movement of stock, and that when moving stock they must have an NLIS device applied. The movement of the stock must then be recorded on the NLIS database within 48 hours.
This action provides both QPS and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) the ability to trace the stock and thereby limits the chances of the cattle being stolen.
Inquiries are still continuing as to the original owners of the two bobby calves (pictured below) SARCIS are seeking public assistance in relation to this matter.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
