Man charged over horse massacre in outback Queensland identified
By Toby Crockford, Jocelyn Garcia and Cloe Read
A man has faced court over the deaths of 41 horses, including pregnant mares and foals, who were shot last week on a rural property in central Queensland.
Police said the horses were killed on a property at Cramsie-Muttaburra Road in Longreach sometime between Tuesday, August 3, and Wednesday, August 4.
The tragic scene in Longreach.
The elderly property owner, who was in hospital during the incident, was devastated by the loss of their horses, according to earlier media reports.
Detectives initially found 35 carcasses, but found six more during their search of the 2023-hectare property in the following days, taking the death toll to 41.
On Thursday, police arrested and charged 49-year-old Christopher John Anderson – from Mount Isa, 575 kilometres north-west of Longreach – with one count of injuring animals.
He faced the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on Friday where the case was mentioned and adjourned until Monday. Mr Anderson made no bail application and was remanded in custody.
Last week, Longreach Regional Council mayor Tony Rayner said the community was in shock.
“People are both sickened and saddened by the event that’s occurred and that’s not how we care and love our animals here,” he said.
“We are animal lovers, and it’s a terrible criminal offence that has occurred. We’ve never had an incident of this nature before in the region.”
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said the incident was unlike anything he had seen.
“It’s a horrible thing and it’ll be interesting to know what’s behind it all,” he said.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.