Hundreds of cattle seized from a Colac district property after complaints

The Standard and Stock & Land received calls this morning with reports of police and authorities attending a property near Colac with multiple vehicles, a truck and portable cattle yards. The callers also reported hearing gunshots.

An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said it had seized a number of livestock at a Colac district property as part of an ongoing animal welfare investigation.

"All complaints received by the department are taken seriously and investigated as appropriate," the spokesperson said.

The Standard reported allegations of mass cattle deaths at the farm in August 2023, and published more photos in September 2023 after concerned workers in the industry spoke on the condition of anonymity.

At the time, an Agriculture Victoria spokeswoman told The Standard the department took animal welfare "very seriously".

"We respond to all allegations received," she said.

"Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint can contact Agriculture Victoria."

The Standard has seen correspondence between one resident and the department which dates back to April 2019, and involved concerns about animal cruelty at one of the properties.

Victoria Police attended the scene to assist Agriculture Victoria.

RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michael Stagg said it investigated 10,000 reports of animal cruelty across the state, almost all coming from concerned members of the community.

He said a number of people had made reports of alleged cruelty "regarding this location" but it was unable to investigate those.

"We appreciate a number of people have expressed concern for animals in the area, however RSPCA Victoria is responsible for investigating complaints about companion animals and livestock species where there are less than 10 head of livestock at the property," he said.

"Agriculture Victoria's Inspectors investigate matters concerning commercial livestock, and cruelty reports regarding cases with more than 10 head of livestock can be sent directly to their Animal Health Officers 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

"We're aware a number of people have made cruelty reports to us directly regarding this location, and we have directed all of these to the department for investigation.

"We'd love to be able to investigate these reports - however, as a charity with limited government funding and resources, including only 30 Inspectors to cover the entire state, we're unable to do so, which is where the arrangements we have with other agencies, like the one with Agriculture Victoria in this case, apply."