Geoff Guest OAM, pictured with his late wife Norma has reported cattle being shot and left to die in his paddock. He said he has had projectiles tested by a former SAS soldier who is looking for the culprits.

Cowards with guns shoot defenceless cattle and horses

Cattle and horse stealing have been plaguing long-time grazier, landowner and renowned horseman Geoff Guest OAM who runs Petford Farm along the Petford Irvinebank Road, 33 klm west of Dimbulah.

A month ago two cows were shot in the driveway of his homestead, situated some 60 metres from the road.

About the same time three horses were shot, wounded and left to die in his paddock. Helicopters buzz the property regularly, which Mr Guest, 90, believes are looking for his cattle and horses.

Some time ago Mr Guest was monitoring on his two way radio, illegal night time mustering by thieves with cattle dogs.

“I heard them on the radio talking about catching cattle. It was very clear so they must have been quite close,” Mr Guest said.

“Judging from their conversation they were catching my branded and unbranded weaners and loading them on a small truck then taking them somewhere close to be killed and then selling the meat.

“Fortunately I was able to record most of their conversations on my phone and I have given all this information and a bit more I have been told to a private investigator.

“Today a helicopter flew up Emu Creek and over the paddocks looking for my cattle and horses, but I now have a warning system in place that alerts some local people that illegal mustering is going on, and they can be on the property in a short time to deal with it.

“I have legal people assisting my group who will get these people into court real quickly.

“When they shot the cows one night they were in a direct line with the house and bullets could have easily hit the place.

“I got one of my military supporters to recover the projectiles from the dead cows and he sent them off for ballistic testing.”