Three cows at an Angus farm will be shot today unless a last-minute move to save them succeeds.
G&A Pattullo at Lintrathen is at the centre of a legal wrangle with Angus Council over its cattle stock, most of which was removed for sale on Sunday.
However, three prime-quality livestock were due to be shot today barring any intervention.
George Pattullo, who lives at Middle Coul Farm, said an owner has already been found but he has come up against a wall of answering machines when trying to contact council representatives.
“They can’t be sold because they don’t have the right registry for market but they can have calves themselves, which can then be sold on the market,” he explained.
“These are three healthy animals, Limousin and Simmental and they’re not pets.”
The local authority’s environmental health department have engaged Keith-based Douglasbrae Knackery, a national firm, to shoot the animals at Mr Pattullo’s farm and then remove them to be rendered at a factory.
Collection by knackers’ yards is reserved for animals considered to be unfit for human consumption. Their bodies are rendered for bone meal and leather.
However, Mr Pattullo said he has an undertaking from a local woman who is upset at the prospect of the cows dying unnecessarily.
“It’s so damned unfair,” he added. “There are perfectly humane ways to deal with them and they are handsome beasts, too good to die on their feet like that.”
“I know this could be resolved within hours but no one will return my calls.”
Douglasbrae Knackery was contacted for comment but has not yet responded. Angus Council was unavailable for comment.
UPDATE: The destruction of the cows was called off on Monday as the council responds to the possibility of a new owner. Click here for more.
Photo by Photos on Location