Berserk Steer Shot

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31343, 13 April 1967, Page 1

Berserk Steer Shot

A Chatham Islands steer was shat by the palice last evening after it had eseaped while being tracked out of Addington Saleyards late in the afternoon.

The animal was frenzied and was headtag towards the road when It was killed about 6.32 pjn. in the north-east corner of North Bagley Park, near the golf course, said Sergeant J. D. Shields.

The steer, a roan Shorthorn yearling, was sue of 11 eattie being driven on to a lorry at the loading-

out ramp just after 4 p.m. According to a transport operator, the lorry taking the steen had been left with Its brake off. Ten of the steen had been driven in when the track moved forward. The last steer, rather than jump the gap, jumped between the track and the loading bay and bolted into Hagiey Park. But for tile density of traffic, stockmen would have been prepared to drive some quiet cattie into the park to eoerce the escaper back to the yards, but this was Impossible.

When Senior-Sergeant Shields received a call about 4-30 pm. from a City Council ranger, he sent two men, one with a rifle in case It was needed. At that stage the steer had gene berserk in South Hagiey Park and it leapt a 4ft fence to cross Riccarton avenue into North Hagiey Park where It charged several people. ' Sergeant Shields said that it was impoo-, sible to rope the berserk steer and it had to be shot before anybody was hurt. Constable A J. Shirley was successful with his first shot.