Vicious attack on stud cattle at a country show sparks concern

A vicious attack on stud cattle at the Monto Show last month has left people wondering what can be done to stop it from happening again.

It's understood a number of youths attacked stud cattle tied up at the Monto Showgrounds with show canes and a steel rake one night during the show on April 26 and 27.

Queensland Ag Shows president David Wilson said he was very disappointed when he heard of the incident, which showed a lack of respect for the animals, volunteers, exhibitors and the community.

Mr Wilson said ensuring it did not happen again was a statewide challenge, as it was not something that only happened in urban or city areas.

"It's demonstrated that it's a statewide challenge and it's going to occur in any region throughout the state," he said.

"And it's a timely reminder to be vigilant on your showgrounds, even after the show has concluded for the day."

Peter Dingle of Redline Brangus, Eidsvold, whose cattle were among those terrorised at the Monto Show last month, said the incident would hurt some country shows.

"Once people start doing that to animals, are they (stud breeders) going to keep bringing them back?" he said.

The Dingle's cattle on the night included three bulls, three cows, one heifer and three calves.

Mr Dingle said his cattle were a bit flighty the next morning after the attack.

"They were a bit stirred up, but they were not as bad as some of the others; they drew blood on some of the others," he said.

"We weren't that bad; they (the offenders) picked on two animals."

Mr Dingle said he was pretty disgusted when he found out about the incident.

"How could someone pick on an animal that's tied up and can't fight back? It's pretty low," he said.

Mr Dingle agreed that increasing security for stud cattle overnighting at showgrounds was one solution.

"But that's a big expense and... the show society can't absorb any more things that's been thrown at them in the past two years since taking over their own shows, paying their rates and everything else that's been thrown at them, they can't absorb any more," he said.

Mr Dingle said he hoped the offenders were charged and prosecuted.

As the peak body for Queensland shows, Mr Wilson said his organisation was on hand for advice and resources on keeping animals and showgrounds safe.

"It's not only a matter of concern for the safety of animals, but also for the safety of our volunteers and exhibitors," he said.

"Shows need to maintain good communication and presence with their local law enforcement and certainly advise their security personnel that they have on their showgrounds through the show about potential incidents that have occurred and things to look out for."

Mr Wilson said they had been working with the state police on presenting at an upcoming think tank on the issue of security.

"They are going to be helping shows with better ways of identifying vulnerabilities in their security...what to look out for...and how to keep their showgrounds more secure," he said.

In a 20-year association with Queensland shows and his local show at Ipswich, Mr Wilson said he had never before heard of an incident as alarming as the one at Monto.

"It's the first one I've heard of like this; there's been minor things like people opening gates and being silly, but something that's this distressing for everyone involved, the animals as well, this is the first time I've heard something like this occurring," he said.

"Some shows may have to (step up their security), or some shows may just have to look at how their security is moving through the showgrounds at night, and maybe looking at access to the showgrounds.

"There's 129 shows in Queensland and every showground is very, very different, every community is very different and every layout is very different.

"So it's just working with exhibitors and working with your...onsite security to work out the best way to ensure the grounds are secure."

Mr Wilson said it was not up to him to comment on what the perpetrators should get as a sentence.

But he said he would like the courts to recognise the seriousness of the incident.

A Monto Show spokesperson said the show society took the welfare of exhibitors and their livestock extremely seriously.

"An incident affecting livestock during the 2025 Monto Show has been referred to Queensland Police," the spokesperson said.

"Youth crime and misconduct is not just an urban issue - it's affecting rural communities too. We're grateful for the support of our local police and support calls for increased resourcing for regional stations."

Police media were approached for a comment.