Cattle rustling has been a problem in Northland for decades, but farmers say it's happening much more often.
They are facing standoffs on their properties more frequently and some have even turned to carrying guns for protection. But they're still worried someone could get hurt, or even killed, if nothing is done.
Beef farmer Ian Russell, of Dargaville, said three weeks ago he had two vehicles come onto his property.
A bunch of his breeding cows who were pregnant and had calves were attacked - with one killed and its meat taken.
"We had the suggestion that people are hungry and the cost of meat is forcing them to do this sort of thing, but in actual fact you don't shoot six and then take one if you're hungry," Mr Russell said.
Their animals are being shot dead and butchered on the spot, with only offal and body parts left behind. (Source: Other)
"This will be a commercial operation, I would imagine it'll be sold on the black market."
Mr Russell had been dealing with cattle rustling for 30 years, but said the current state of the problem had been "a bit of a game changer".
In the past, people would attack them in paddocks far away, but the latest ambush was about 50 metres from a public road and about 500 metres from four houses, he said. "It worries me a wee bit."
Mr Russell has upscaled his security footage and started a group with other victims of cattle rustling to start a "meat watch", similar to a community watch.
SHARE ME