A Mount Isa man has been granted bail after being charged over an horse shooting incident near Longreach.
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Christopher John Anderson, a 49-year-old mine worker, was charged with one count of injuring animals after 41 horses, which included pregnant mares and foals, were found shot dead on a property north of Longreach in early August.
After appearing briefly on Friday to have the case adjourned over the weekend, the 49-year-old mine worker appeared in Mount Isa Magistrates Court Monday and was granted bail on the grounds that he had no criminal history and was not deemed a flight risk.
According to this bail conditions, Mr Anderson must live at an address nominated by police, surrender his weapons licence and must not control any weapon, and must report to police each Monday.
The matter has been adjourned until September 16.
Major Organised Crime Squad Longreach OIC Detective Sergeant Allan Cook described the scene in the paddock abutting the Cramsie-Muttaburra Road as a 'turkey shoot' and said it was one of the worst things he'd seen in 30 years of policing.
He said the community as a whole was reeling, especially after keeping precious stock alive through so many years of drought.
"That is why the Queensland Police Service is working extremely closely with partner agencies to identify the person or people responsible," he said.
The owner of the property was not home at the time of the incident.
MOCS Rural Longreach detectives are leading the investigation, with the assistance of local police and partner agencies, and were back at the scene on Friday to carry out further investigations, including searching for any additional wounded or deceased horses in the 2025ha paddock.
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