Three horses on a stretch of rural Northland road have been shot by an animal control officer as authorities take a tough line on wandering stock.
A stallion, mare and yearling were shot about 8am yesterday near Mokau, 45km north of Whangarei, on a section of road that has been a trouble spot for wandering livestock for 22 years.
Environment Northland manager Keith Thompson confirmed there had been three complaints about cows and horses on the road on Wednesday. Yesterday, he had gone to Mokau after another call and found the three horses, in poor condition, on the road.
He herded them into a gateway and shot one. The other two took off towards Pukapuka Rd and were eventually chased back to the gateway and shot. A local man became upset after the shootings and approached Mr Thompson. A small flat deck truck was used to load the animals which were to be taken to a council landfill.
"Someone will be killed, it's going to happen. The 5 per cent of the community who do not look after their stock are going to be 100 per cent responsible for that death," Mr Thompson said.