A man has been charged following an investigation into an alleged act of animal cruelty.
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Police will allege a 37-year-old man became aware of heifers grazing on his Hunter property that were not his on December 23.
It's alleged he got into his vehicle and deliberately drove into one of the heifers - breaking its leg - before slitting its throat and releasing his dogs.
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The heifer's owner discovered the injured animal and was forced to euthanise it. He then reported the matter to officers from Hunter Valley Police District.
Investigations commenced by Hunter Valley Rural Crime Investigators, with the assistance of Dungog police and local government authorities.
The 37-year-old man attended Gosford Police Station yesterday where he was arrested and charged with:
- torture, beat and seriously injure animal,
- torture, beat and cause prolonged suffering to animal,
- dog attack animal due to owner's reckless act, and
- two counts of fail to prevent dog from escaping.
He was given strict conditional bail and is due to appear in Dungog Local Court on March 11.
State Rural Crime Coordinator, Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside, said this investigation highlighted the teamwork and coordination that is ever present between police, the Rural Crime Prevention Team, RSPCA, local government and Local Land Services.
"This is just one example of a great team coming together, sharing expertise and tackling animal cruelty head-on," Det Insp Whiteside said.
"I would also like to remind the community they can report matters of animal cruelty to their local police, Crime Stoppers, the RSPCA or the Animal Welfare League."
