Brutal Thieves Slaughter Animal for Its Meat Which Could Cause Sickness If Eaten

Published on: 19 May, 2025
Updated on: 18 May, 2025

Cattle grazing at Riverside Nature Reserve

By David Reading

One of the cows on a Guildford nature reserve has been slaughtered and systematically butchered for its meat in a shocking night-time raid.

What the thieves do not know is that the cattle have been treated with worming medication, which is likely to cause sickness in anyone eating their meat.

Farmers John and Selina Tilley have been devastated by the brutal attack on one of their animals, which graze the site as part of a conservation programme set up by Guildford Borough Council.

The attack happened early on Saturday morning (May 17) at the Riverside Nature Reserve, a 30 hectare wildlife haven located between the A3 and the Slyfield Industrial Estate.

The Tilleys know exactly when the attack happened because the 12 animals were monitored with tracking devices and one stopped moving at 1.48am Saturday morning.

It is likely the animal was shot before being butchered, and Mr Tilley said one of his major fears is that someone is out there in possession of a gun as well as butcher’s knives.

The couple, who are deeply upset by the incident, say the thieves must have known exactly what they were doing because they removed the animal’s organs in a way that an ordinary person wouldn’t have known about.

They estimate that around four people were likely to have been involved and were probably in a van. They would have had to pass through three padlocked barriers.

According to the FARM2table website the value of a butchered cow is £3,000. But the cattle have been treated with the drug Ivermectin and are on a 66-day retention period. Animals treated with this drug are not for human consumption during that period.

Mrs Tilley said warned potential purchasers: “If you are offered any beef and don’t know its origin, please don’t be tempted to purchase as it will cause serious issues with your health.”

The Tilleys have reported the animal’s death to the police.

The couple manage seven conservation sites for Guildford Borough Council, of which Riverside is one.

The council says on its website: “Riverside Nature Reserve supports many bird, amphibian and mammal species. The reserve consists of four main habitats: meadow, wetland, open water and woodland. We use cattle grazing for habitat management.”

Grazing is an effective method compared to alternatives such as cutting and burning.