Woman killed by bulls she reared

By TONY GEE

A Far North bull farmer has died after at least one of the animals she hand-reared attacked her.

Dallas Schluter, aged 59, was working with her husband Tony on their 303ha hill-country farm at Lake Ohia, between Taipa and Awanui, on Sunday when the accident happened.

It is thought one of several dozen dehorned three-year-old Friesian bulls may have charged her or that she became caught in a melee between several of them and thrown against a tree.

Neighbouring Pekerau Rd farmer Ivan Jurlina, one of the first on the scene after Mr Schluter called an ambulance about 11 am, told the Herald the couple had been bringing the bulls down from the hills to go to the works.

"They had separated over a hill but were initially in voice contact with each other," Mr Jurlina said yesterday.

"Then, when Tony called out and heard nothing, he went to investigate."

Mr Schluter found his wife lying seriously hurt on the ground.

Mrs Schluter told her husband she was dying and he tried to make her comfortable before going to call an ambulance, Mr Jurlina said.

Mrs Schluter was dead when an ambulance crew arrived. It is understood her chest had been crushed and she died of internal injuries.

Mrs Schluter was known throughout the district for hand-rearing Friesian bulls and was a frequent competitor at A and P shows in the region.

The bulls will remain on the property until after Mrs Schluter's funeral on Saturday.

Heath Harris, an Airburn cattle farmer and former Far North farm vet for 36 years, said yesterday that all bulls were unpredictable.

"There's a long history of people being killed by bulls. As three-year-olds, these bulls would have been very strong. Their power can be astronomical.

"You just never know when they are going to put their heads down and have a go at you," Mr Harris said.

Mr Harris knew Mr and Mrs Schluter well.

"Dallas had a lot of experience and knew what she was doing. She must have been very unlucky. It's a tragedy."

There have been at least four other bull attacks on people in New Zealand since 1995. Three were fatal.