Surf Coast hobby farm under investigation after accusations of appalling conditions

The founder of a sheep advocacy group says Surf Coast residents are driving past a hobby farm where lambs are being eaten by wild dogs.

The founder of Sheep Advocate Australia Gary Hall says thousands of people are driving past a Mt Duneed property every day where animals a being left to die. Picture: Alison Wynd

Sheep at a Geelong hobby farm are being left so malnourished they are unable to protect their lambs from wild dogs, animal advocates claim.

Sheep Advocate Australia has been monitoring a one acre block in Mt Duneed for many years, where founder Gary Hall says the animals have been exposed to brutal treatment over the course of five years.

The horrific conditions observed include lambs being eaten by foxes and dogs within hours of being born with their mothers defenceless due to their deteriorating health, Mr Hall claims.

He said the suffering was visible in “plain sight” from a main road, and noted ewes on the property faced terrible conditions.

“At the beginning the bodies were simply dragged into the bushes ... now they are just left to rot, not only potentially causing disease within the flock but feeding the dog/fox issue in the area compounding the problem,” Mr Hall said.

“Many lambs currently birthed have been eaten within hours or days, and knowingly so.

“The attempts to prevent such predation are a joke, a scarecrow, cameras and alpacas have been added to the paddock however it’s the poor condition and lack of care for health that’s facilitated the continuous mass suffering.”

The remains of a sheep at a Mt Duneed property. Picture: Alison Wynd

The Geelong Advertiser understands at least one of the alpacas brought on to protect the sheep has since also died.

Sheep Advocate Australia reported the conditions to Agriculture Victoria which is currently investigating.

Mr Hall said the group didn’t think any action would be taken because the alleged activity was not illegal.

“Agriculture Victoria, the department in charge of welfare and monitoring, has received a complaint from us,” Mr Hall said.

“Given the farming department monitors and actions its own animal welfare, we have little hope of change.”

An Agriculture Victoria spokeswoman would not comment directly on the matter due to the ongoing investigation.

“We take animal welfare seriously and all complaints are investigated,” she said.

Mr Hall said the problems weren’t shared between farms in the area.

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell called for amendments to laws allowing this treatment to continue, claiming it was one of many examples of sheep mistreatment.

“Every year across Victoria, millions of lambs die slow deaths due exposure just like this,” she said.

“As someone who cares for a flock of rescued sheep myself, I know well just how sensitive they are to extreme weather conditions.

“When they are treated as a commodity rather than a companion, far too many pay the ultimate price with their lives.”

To make a specific complaint regarding welfare of farmed animals, call Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or email [e-mail].

Originally published as Surf Coast hobby farm under investigation after accusations of appalling conditions