Police Launch Criminal Investigation After 18 Pet Goats Found Shot Dead on Pōkeno Rural Property

Counties Manukau Police investigate the inhumane shooting of 18 pet goats in Pōkeno. Authorities seek information on suspects likely accompanied by a dog.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 3:13 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Stuff

A Violent Act of Animal Cruelty

Police have initiated a formal investigation into a disturbing incident involving the mass shooting of nearly 20 pet goats in the rural community of Pōkeno. The event took place during the late evening of Wednesday, April 13, at a private property situated on Ridge Road. According to investigators, 18 animals were targeted in an attack that has left the local farming community in a state of shock, particularly given the senseless and calculated nature of the killings within a residential setting.

Discovery of the Carcasses in Situ

Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Nelson, the investigations manager for the Counties Manukau South Area, characterized the shooting as an inhumane act carried out against defenseless animals. All 18 goats were found dead within a securely fenced paddock, and the perpetrators made no attempt to remove the remains, leaving the carcasses at the site of the shooting. This detail has led authorities to focus on the deliberate and malicious intent behind the act rather than a botched attempt at poaching or theft.

Community Intelligence and Forensic Clues

Law enforcement officials believe that the local community may hold the key to identifying the individuals involved in the slaughter. Detective Senior Sergeant Nelson emphasized that it is highly probable that multiple people are aware of who coordinated the shooting. Furthermore, preliminary findings from the scene suggest that the suspects were likely accompanied by a dog during the incident, a specific detail that police hope will help witnesses connect the event to individuals who were active in the Ridge Road area that night.