Two more men have been charged over alleged animal cruelty offences near Bourke last year.

On Monday 8 September 2025, officers from the Central North Police District and the Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) established Strike Force Salwood and began investigating an alleged illegal hunting incident on a rural property along Lower Lila Road, Lower Lila, approximately 80km north of Bourke.

It will be alleged that between Sunday 7 September 2025, and Monday 8 September 2025, two sheep and 16 goats were shot across several properties in the area.

On Tuesday 16 December 2025 a 22-year-old man was charged after several electronic devices were seized at a home in Hamlyn Terrace, near Tuggerah on the Central Coast.

He remains before the court.

Last week (Thursday 15 January 2026), following further inquiries, strike force detectives charged two more men – both aged 36.

One man has been charged with commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal, use unauthorised firearm and torture, beat etc and cause death of animal.

The other was charged with commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal (two counts), use unauthorised firearm and torture, beat etc and cause death of animal.

They were issued with a court attendance notice to appear at Bourke Local Court on Thursday 9 April 2026.

Inquiries under Strike Force Salwood continue.