Detectives have today arrested and charged a 49-year-old Mount Isa man as part of an investigation into the suspicious deaths of 41 horses on a property near Longreach between August 3 and 4.
The man has been refused police bail and will face the Mount Isa Magistrates court tomorrow (August 13) charged with one count of injuring animals.
Investigations remain ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police.
ORIGINAL RELEASE BELOW
The Longreach Major and Organised Crime Squad - Rural (MOCS Rural) is investigating the shooting deaths of more than 35 horses at Longreach.
Initial investigations indicate the horses, who were on a large rural property on Cramsie Muttaburra Road, were killed sometime between Tuesday, August 3 and Wednesday, August 4.
The horses included geldings; colts; pregnant mares, and mares with foals at foot, died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.
MOCS Rural Longreach detectives are leading the investigation, with the assistance of local police and partner agencies, and will be back at the scene today to carry out further investigations, including searching for any additional wounded or deceased horses on the 5,000 acre property.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity on this road in the past few days to come forward.
MOCS Rural Longreach OIC Detective Sergeant Allan Cook said incidents of this nature can have a devastating impact on rural communities.
"That is why the Queensland Police Service is working extremely closely with partner agencies to identify the person or people responsible," Detective Sergeant Cook said.
"We are strongly appealing to anyone with information to talk to police immediately."
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 or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
