One of five men who allegedly attempted to steal cattle from a pasture in Hibernia, Manchester, was chopped to death by residents, Wednesday night.

The incident follows mounting frustration by farmers who say they have been losing millions of dollars because of the criminal activity.

Last night, the chairman of the Jamaica Livestock Association's beef committee, Dr Karl Wellington, said he understood the anger of the farmers, but condemned the violence against the would-be cattle thief.

"I'm terrified and I find that is the situation with many other farmers," he said.

Police intervention

Wellington said the police must increase their coverage of farms and seek to find the people who were buying the carcasses of the stolen cattle.

The Constabulary Communication Network reported that about 9:30 on Wednesday night, five men went to a pasture in Hibernia and attempted to steal cattle.

Residents who saw them raised an alarm. Four of the men escaped, but one was held, beaten and chopped several times.

He died at the Percy Junor Hospital, Spaldings, on the Manchester/Clarendon border.

The man, whose identity has not been ascertained, is about 40 years old, of dark complexion and slim build.