An Australian farmer was forced to shoot 20 of his cows after they were badly injured in the bushfires ravaging the coastal areas of southern New South Wales.
Steve Shipton puts down a cow that was severely wounded after a bushfire ravaged a paddock in Coolagolite, New South Wales (Picture: EPA)
Steve Shipton from Coolagolite, between the hard-hit towns of Cobargo and Bermagui, was consoled by neighbouring farmers after the heart-wrenching task of putting down the cattle which had been severely burnt by fires that swept through his property.
Graphic pictures show the moments leading up to the killings, as well as the moments directly after, where he was consoled by fellow farmers Bernie Smith and Peter Mercieca.
Steve Shipton (centre) is consoled by fellow farmers Bernie Smith (left) and Peter Mercieca in Coolagolite (Picture: AAP)
After completing the harrowing task of putting down about a tenth of his herd, Mr Shipton shook the hand of a local vet and thanked him for the support.
Pictures show the farmer checking the burns on the cattle and the distressing moment he shot another with his rifle.
Carcasses of cows killed in a bushfire lay in a field in Coolagolite (Picture: EPA)
The fire front on the NSW south coast flared on New Year's Eve, leaving seven people dead and hundreds of properties destroyed, and locals were bracing for more hot and windy conditions on Saturday.
The total death toll for this fire season reached 18 after eight people - seven in NSW and one in Victoria - died on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Steve inspects the burn injuries on a cow he put down (Picture: EPA)
An estimated 480million animals have also perished in the blazes, which have affected various areas across all states since October.
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This article first appeared on Metro UK.
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