The cow grazing at the Gunnedah Common near the Gunnedah Racetrack, is believed to have been trying to drink from a rain puddle when it became stuck in the mud and drowned.

Gunnedah Common member Tony Baldwin said the incident was a case of “rotten luck”.

“It is very unfortunate and really breaks your heart when you’ve been screaming for rain for so long,” Mr Baldwin said.

“While it’s not my cow, I have been helping the lady who does own it by feeding it, keeping the fresh water up to it as well as my own cows and doing the best I can given the conditions.

“For something like this to happen is really a kick in the guts.”

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Mr Baldwin said the current drought conditions are the worst he has seen in his 75 years in the Gunnedah region.

“I was born-and-bred here and I don’t think I have ever seen it this bad,” he said.

“I really feel for my friend who does own the cow as it was her last cow and it was heavily pregnant.

“To say this is a cruel turn of events is an understatement, I mean you couldn’t possibly believe that something so unlucky could happen to someone.

“We have been begging for rain for so long and when it finally does come, something like this happens.

“It really is heartbreaking.”

Mr Baldwin said he would notify the owner and would look to remove the animal once the mud dries.

“I really do feel for her,” he said.

“This cow obviously had a reason for wanting to drink this water, something must be in it that she has sensed and has wanted.

“I can’t understand it and I just wish I had been around to stop this from happening but I guess this is life on the land and these things happen.”