The St. Mary police are advising consumers to be cautious about purchasing beef that may be contaminated in the Rose End district.  

The Agricultural Protection Branch issued the warning following the theft and slaughter of pregnant cows, yesterday.

Reports are that a farmer tethered 11 cows on a plot in the community and retired to bed.

A relative of the farmer, who oversees the property, later went to check on the cattle and realised that they were missing.

Two cows were later found. They had been slaughtered on the property. One of them had been carrying a fully developed calf.

Police theorise that the illegal slaughtering took place between 3:00 a.m and 5:00 a.m. yesterday.

A veterinarian, who visited the scene, told the police that he had recently injected the animals with chemicals, making them unfit for consumption.

Citizens are being warned to be on the lookout for cattle being sold at unusually low prices.

They are also being warned that consumption of contaminated meat can cause serious health complications and even death.