Man is charged with killing 41 horses who were found shot dead on a farm while their owner was in hospital
- Police have arrested and charged a 49-year-old after 41 horses were shot dead
- Horses and pregnant mares were found by a member of the public on August 5
- The owner of the property 60km north of Longreach was not home at the time
- Initial investigations indicate they were killed between August 3 and 4
A man has been arrested following the discovery of 41 horses, including pregnant mares, that were shot dead in western Queensland.
The horses were found by a member of the public late on August 5 at a property about 60km north of Longreach, with initial investigations indicating the animals were killed sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday last week, police said.
The owner of the property was not home at the time of the incident and was in a nearby hospital.

Local police (pictured) were quickly on the scene following reports of a mass horse shooting on a farm in western Queensland
Police said they arrested and charged a 49-year-old Mount Isa man on Thursday as part of the investigation into the horse deaths.
The man has been refused bail and will face the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on Friday charged with one count of injuring animals.
Police said last week that colts, mares, pregnant mares, geldings and mares with foals afoot died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.
Detective Sergeant Allan Cook said the impact of such an incident is damaging to the local community.

Detective Sergeant Allan Cook said the impact of such an incident is damaging to the local community

A 49-year-old Mount Isa man has been arrested and charged in relation to the incident as colts, mares, pregnant mares, geldings and mares looking after foals were shot dead