Airborne shooters gun down roamers

A gunman takes aim from a helicopter used to find cattle roaming on SH47 near National Park. Photo/Supplied

Ruapehu authorities have started shooting cattle roaming on the state highway near National Park.

Seven have been killed so far in a joint operation this week by the Ruapehu District Council, the Department of Conservation and police. A helicopter was used.

Council team compliance officer Wayne O'Shannessey said the cattle had been wandering on to SH47 and causing vehicle accidents and near misses.

It was feared eventually someone would be hurt or killed in a collision with one of the cattle.

"The cattle are not wild but due to the state of the surrounding fences and the nearest cattle yard being unsuitable to hold the animals a muster was not a viable option.

"I have personally attended one vehicle collision with a cattle beast that required the animal to be shot and have heard of other near misses" he said.

"Council gets numerous calls about stock being on the roads from around the district. This is a timely reminder for farmers to ensure their stock cannot roam and are secure in their paddocks.

"A collision between a car and a cattle beast will invariably write off the car and there is a very high likelihood that the driver or passengers will be seriously injured if not killed."

It was almost impossible to see a cow on the road on a dark night out in the country, he said.

The owner of the stock was upset at the killing but relieved no one had come to any harm, the Chronicle was told.

A council spokesman said farmers were responsible for ensuring their stock was contained within suitable fencing.

Before the action was taken this week, the spokesman said the council tried to work with farmers to keep stock off roads.

"In some cases they may not know their stock is getting out, such as a tree may have come down across a fence, etc.

As a last resort council staff had this week rounded up the stock themselves. "If there is a recurring, ongoing problem, and the stock owner is not making efforts to contain their stock we will send them a bill covering the time council compliance staff have spent mustering their stock and returning it to their paddock."