Police from the Toowoomba branch of the Queensland Police Stock and Rural Crime Investigation Squad have recovered 43 head of cattle in New South Wales as a result of ongoing investigations into offences involving livestock.

The cattle were recovered after the Squad combined with the Casino Rural Crime Investigation Squad (NSW) to execute search warrants on properties just south of the Queensland border following a complaint regarding offences involving approximately 300 cattle.

During the searches of property around Legume and Koreelah, police mustered approximately 1200 hectares (3000 acres) and looked at approximately 600 head of cattle.

QPS media said investigations were continuing and a 52-year-old man was cooperatively assisting police with their enquiries.

No charges have yet been laid in relation to the incident.

Meanwhile, an RSPCA investigation in Western Australia has resulted in a Kojunup farmer being found guilty on charges of animal cruelty.

The Perth Court yesterday banned Brenton Emiel Hettner, 41, from owning livestock for three years.

He was also fined $15,000 and ordered to pay costs of almost $24,000.

The court was told that RSPCA inspectors had visited Mr Hettner’s farms several times in 2009 after receiving reports of cattle being in poor condition.

The RSPCA said its investigation showed that more than 250 cattle had been overstocked and had not been provided with adequate feed. 

The association said it had made repeated attempts to educate the accused and to "improve the situation, according to a news.com.au report.