NSW cow with ‘fifth leg’ sells for nearly $700 at sale

A cow with a fifth leg protruding from its back has been sold for $672 at a New South Wales sale yard. 

The 560kg animal, which yielded $1.20 per kilogram, was bought at the Gunnedah Prime Cattle Sale on Tuesday morning. 

Despite the extremely rare genetic mutation, it’s believed the cow was otherwise ‘healthy and happy.’

A cow with a fifth leg protruding from its back was sold for $672 at a New South Wales sale yard on Tuesday

A picture of the beef cow shows the extra limb, which seems to be a leg from the knee bone down, dangling down the right side of the animal’s stomach. 

It also has what looks to be an overgrown hoof, which has taken a claw-like form.

The age of the disfigured creature is unknown, but according to Gunnedah-based agent Adam Pollock, of Pollock and Cummin, it appeared ‘perfectly healthy and happy.’

Despite the extremely rare genetic mutation, it's believed the cow was otherwise 'healthy and happy' 

Despite the extremely rare genetic mutation, it’s believed the cow was otherwise ‘healthy and happy’ 

Speaking with The Northern Daily Leader, Mr Pollock said the bizarre mutation was the first he’d seen. 

‘I’ve never, ever seen anything like it in my life,’ he said.

‘I’ve been working with cattle since I was a kid, and even since I left school and became involved with the agency and the sale yards in 2004, I’ve never come across anything like this.’

A picture of the beef cow shows the extra limb dangling down the right side of the animal's stomach

A picture of the beef cow shows the extra limb dangling down the right side of the animal’s stomach

The cow had come from the north-eastern Gunnedah district and was bound for Kempsey, according to Agent Dave Henry, of Davidson Cameron and Co.

‘It is very rare, but it’s fat and healthy, shining and you can tell it’s been looked after,’ he told the publication. 

‘It’s been given the best life.’      

The cow's extra leg also had what looked to be an overgrown hoof, which had taken a claw-like form

The cow’s extra leg also had what looked to be an overgrown hoof, which had taken a claw-like form

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