Joe Dare cops decade long ban from owning cattle, $75k fine

A former Carlton draftee and well-known farmer west of Geelong has copped a big penalty after he pleaded guilty to almost two dozen animal cruelty charges.

Joe Dare at his parents dairy farm in Nalangil after being drafted by Carlton.

A former Geelong Falcons draftee and well-known farmer west of Geelong has copped a 10-year ban from owning cattle and a $75,000 fine after pleading guilty to 23 animal cruelty charges.

Dreeite farmer Joe Dare this week pleaded guilty in the Colac Magistrates’ Court to the offending that occurred at numerous properties in Victoria’s southwest over a four-year period.

Agriculture Victoria’s Daniel Bode said Mr Dare was the owner and person responsible for approximately 1300 head of cattle on various parcels of land in the Dreeite and Nalangil regions.

“This outcome is welcomed by Agriculture Victoria as this level of offending was exceptionally appalling, including multiple failures to provide proper or sufficient feed to his cattle, a failure to treat seriously ill cattle and provide appropriate management care to his stock,” Mr Bode said.

“Apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, which can, in turn, affect all producers and livestock owners.”

Many of the cattle were in extremely bad condition, Mr Bode said.

Mr Dare failed to provide sufficient and appropriate feed, resulting in a several being found deceased or requiring euthanasia.

Post-mortems indicated there was a failure to provide sufficient food, plus having heavy worm burdens, which led to the death of some cattle.

Agriculture Victoria will monitor the process during the 28 days provided by the court for Mr Dare to de-stock.

Mr Dare was recruited from the Geelong Falcons by Carlton with the 21st pick in the 2010 rookie draft.

He was on the club’s list for two years but never played a senior game.

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint in regard to livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria.

Originally published as Joe Dare cops decade long ban from owning cattle, $75k fine