A 70-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly shooting and poaching livestock using thermal imaging equipment in Canterbury.
He will appear in court facing charges of theft of livestock, discharging a firearm, and ill-treatment of animals.
The alleged incident happened near Darfield after police used ballistic testing in an effort to identify the alleged offender.
Darfield Senior Constable Hamish Caird said police recently undertook a thorough investigation after receiving reports of livestock being shot and killed from a public road using thermal optical equipment.