KINGSTON, Jamaica — West Indies Alumina Company (WINDALCO) in a release a short while ago said a prized Red Poll bull was reportedly stolen from one of its beef farms yesterday morning.

The company has since warned residents from in and around the community of Alderton in St Ann to exercise caution when purchasing beef products.

The company advised that the prized bull was improperly slaughtered and did not go through the proper channels of inspection, which would have made its meat fit for consumption.

The bull was said to be primarily used for insemination purposes and was placed in the herd in an effort to increase the population of the Red Poll breed.

“Praedial larceny not only affects small farmers or dairy producers but threatens the sustainability of the agriculture sector. The theft and subsequent killing of the Red Poll Bull puts the breed at risk of extinction,” the company lamented.

In the meantime, WINDALCO thanked members of the Alderton community who alerted the company about the larceny.