Geraldton: Man is charged after allegedly deliberately mowing down several young calves
A man has been charged after allegedly using his SUV to run over a number of calves in a shocking act of animal cruelty.
The 21-year-old is accused of driving his Toyota Prado onto a private farm in Howatharra, near the coastal city of Geraldton, about five hours’ drive north of Perth, at around 2am on August 20.
He then allegedly ran over several three-month-old calves in an attempt to avoid being hit, police said.
At least eight calves were injured and one had to be euthanized.
There were 90 cows and 86 calves on the farm.
Detective Sergeant Peter Foley said footage had been captured of the shocking alleged act.
“We are aware of a video circulating online showing what can only be described as a horrific act of animal cruelty,” he told reporters.
‘It is a confronting view and we take these types of incidents extremely seriously.
A number of calves are believed to have been hit by a driver in a 4WD vehicle on private property north of Perth (Photo: Stock Photo)
‘Animal abuse has no place in our society and will not be tolerated.’
The 21-year-old was arrested at an address in Perth’s southern suburbs. Waikiki Islands.
He has been charged with animal cruelty and criminal damage to property.
The man is due to appear in Geraldton District Court on September 18.
Last month, RSPCA inspectors were called to investigate about 25 dead cows left in a field in the southern Perth suburb of Oakford.
It was reported that the owner of the property was absent.
His son told Seven News the cows had pneumonia and could not be moved because of the wet conditions.
.