Police issue warning about buying beef after cows stolen and slaughtered in Clarendon

The Jamaica Constabulary Force's (JCF) Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) is warning the public to be cautious when purchasing beef following the illegal slaughter of eight cows in Clarendon.

According to the APB, the animals were stolen and slaughtered between Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20.

Reports from the Area Three APB team are that at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, a farmer discovered that eight of his cows had been stolen. 

The livestock were later found slaughtered near the PJ Patterson Highway in the vicinity of St Jago Road and Duke Street in Clarendon, according to the police.

The perpetrators have not been apprehended, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The APB is urging residents not to purchase beef from unknown or unverified sources in the area, warning that the illegally slaughtered animals did not undergo the mandatory veterinary inspection required to determine whether the meat was fit for human consumption.

The police further noted that meat from uninspected animals may pose a serious public health risk and should be considered unsafe.

Members of the public are being encouraged to purchase beef only from licensed and reputable vendors.

Butchers, meat vendors, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets and consumers are also being urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious sale of beef or other meat products, particularly those being offered at unusually low prices.

Anyone with information related to the incident or suspicious meat sales is being asked to contact the APB tipline at 658-219-2063, the police emergency number 119, or Crime Stop.

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