Outrage as vegans deface Queensland butcher with spray-paint

The attack took place while the owner of the Queensland butchery was away. Photo / Supplied

A pro-vegan stunt has caused major backlash in a small Queensland community after a local butcher's shop was vandalised in broad daylight.

Residents in Bellmere, north of Brisbane, were left outraged when Bellmere Butcher's fence was spray-painted with the words "meat is murder #Veganuary" on December 28.

The phrase "veganuary" refers to a campaign that is aiming to get people to try a vegan diet for the month of January.

The campaign hopes to encourage others to adopt a more plant-based diet but the attack on the butcher has done nothing to help the vegan agenda for the people of Bellmere.

Moreton Bay Regional Council councillor Adrian Raedel slammed the stunt on Facebook, asking for help from the community in identifying the vandals.

"This is not ok," Mr Raedel wrote next to pictures of the message.

"If you want to get your message out there then rent a shop, put up legitimate signage and I'll defend your right to say it!

"BUT if you destroy somebody else's property and affect our local businesses through vandalism or graffiti and degrade our streetscape — then that's NOT OK!"

Some people thought the shop may have been targeted because of signs that had been put out the front of the store. Photo / Facebook

One sign read: "Dear vegans, I've killed this cow because it was eating your food … You're welcome."

Owner of the butcher, Josh long, told the Courier Mail that he was worried the shop would get a lot of negative attention as a result of the vandalism.

"We didn't get a whole lot of negative feedback, most people were supporting us. In the end we got publicity and it didn't help their cause," he said.

"I understand what they're saying, but they should have just come talk to us and we could have explained we use RSPCA approved meat.

"People have opinions and they're entitled to it, but it's still vandalism whether it's activism or not."