Four cars came to grief and a 55-year-old man was treated in hospital after a series of collisions with a group of cows on Dukes Rd, near Mosgiel, early yesterday.
One cow died in the 5.30am incident, and three others were returned to their owner unharmed.
Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell, of Dunedin, said the first car collided with one of the cows about 5.30am quickly followed by two more.
None of the people in the cars were injured, but the vehicles had to be towed from the scene.
The fourth car to collide with one of the cows then hit with a power pole.
It is understood the driver was taken to Dunedin Hospital for treatment for two broken ribs and a cow was killed.
Police are investigating.
Dunedin and Clutha area commander Inspector Dave Campbell said under the Crimes Act the owner of wandering stock could be charged with committing a criminal nuisance and conviction could result in a year's imprisonment in cases where someone was seriously injured, the farmer knew fencing was inadequate and stock were often escaping.
