Police hunt 'psychopaths' over cattle cruelty

Police are still hunting the "psychopaths" involved in a barbarous attack on herd of cattle near Gisborne.

They believe knives and an axe were used to slash at one animal and chop off the hindquarters of another in a paddock at Muriwai Beach Road on Saturday night.

The mutilated animals had to be put down.

Another cow was found wandering in the Muriwai village, 25km south of Gisborne, the next day, bleeding heavily and highly stressed.

Gisborne SPCA branch manager Carol Martin said the attack was one of the most chilling cases of cruelty to animals she had come across.

It demonstrated a level of violence that appeared to be "psychopathic", she said.

"What made this really disturbing is the proven link between violence to animals and violence to people," she said.

"Sociological studies have proven that people who attack animals are equally likely to be abusive and violent in their approach to people."

"Sadistic" behaviour was past being a normal animal welfare issue.

"It is torture," she said.

"Such behaviour is becoming more widespread throughout New Zealand. There seems to be no empathy or remorse. These cattle would have suffered a horrendous amount of pain."

Police were making inquiries and encouraged anyone with information to contact them, Senior Sergeant Tony Gibson said.

"We have stock thefts all the time. They are not unusual -- but this one is unusual because of the cruelty involved," he said.

- NZPA