This is a subscriber-only article
A 14-year-old suckler cow was deliberately killed in a field in Co Meath on Sunday evening/night.
When Michael Kennedy of Stamullen, went to check his cattle as normal on Monday morning, he found one of the weanlings distressed and its mother missing.
He was then shocked and upset to find the cow under trees at the edge of the field, strangled by a rope.
Kennedy explained to the Irish Farmers Journal that one end was tied around her neck in a slip knot, the other end around a tree.
The rope had tightened on her neck.
Michael reckoned that the animal had been killed a number of hours earlier.
The cattle had been checked on Sunday, and all was well.
Michael immediately reported the incident to Gardai who came to the field to investigate.
The Kennedy family suspect that the intruders may have intended to butcher the animal and take the meat.
They want to make other farmers aware that this can happen and of the need to be vigilant.
They also want any person who may have seen any suspicious activity in the townland of Hertbertstown, Stamullen to report this to Gardai in Laytown.
Michael Kennedy told the Irish Farmers Journal that the field is relatively remote and the place where the cow was killed is about 1,500m from a public road.
The cow that was killed was particularly docile and easy to handle, he said.
SHARING OPTIONS: