Two additional men have been charged over alleged animal cruelty offences in the state's west last year.
On Monday 8 September 2025, officers from the Central North Police District and the Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) established Strike Force Salwood and began investigating an alleged illegal hunting incident on a rural property along Lower Lila Road, Lower Lila, approximately 80km north of Bourke.
It will be alleged that between Sunday 7 September 2025, and Monday 8 September 2025, two sheep and 16 goats were shot across several properties in the area.
A 22-year-old man was charged after several electronic devices were seized at a home in Hamlyn Terrace on Tuesday 16 December 2025. He remains before the court.
Following further inquiries, on Thursday 15 January 2026, strike force detectives charged two men – both aged 36.
One man has been charged with commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal, use unauthorised firearm and torture, beat etc and cause death of animal.
The other was charged with commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal (two counts), use unauthorised firearm and torture, beat etc and cause death of animal.
They were issued with a court attendance notice to appear at Bourke Local Court on Thursday 9 April 2026.
Inquiries under Strike Force Salwood continue.
