Militant vegans blamed for Gippy Goat cafe closure, months after activists stole goats

The owners of a popular Gippsland goat farm cafe have blamed “abusive vegan activists” for its closure, months after dozens of animal activists invaded the property and stole multiple animals last summer.

The Gippy Goat Cafe has been forced to close after being targeted by vegan activists. Picture: Instagram

The owners of a Gippsland goat farm cafe have blamed “abusive vegan activists” for its closure.

The Gippy Goat cafe co-owner Penny Gandar said constant harassment since dozens of animal activists invaded the property just before Christmas had led to the decision.

Today’s last day of trade was announced in a Facebook post that read: “This was not an easy decision to reach, however for the sake of our health and safety and that of our families and staff we feel that it is regrettably the best option.

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Visitors at the popular cafe. Picture: Facebook

“Our staff and customers have been subjected to nearly four months of constant harassment, vile statements and threats from the abusive vegan activists. We have personally been subjected to an appalling stream of threats of extreme violence against ourselves, our family, our staff and even their families.

“Our staff have been subjected to daily threats and harassment by phone, and we cannot in good conscience ask them to continue working under such a condition.”

It comes as hundreds of people plan to stage a protest tomorrow.

The event, hosted by vegan group Aussie Farms, said exact locations of the protests would remain secret to protect them “from sabotage”.

“We want people around the world to see that our work for animal rights is no longer a minority grassroots movement but instead a rapidly growing phenomenon that can’t be stopped,” organisers said.

Ms Gandar told the Herald Sun the cafe at Yarragon had been subjected to a “sustained level of harassment through social media, phone calls and fake ratings”.

“At the end of the day, you lose the heart to keep going. It has just been on and on.”

But she vowed the family dairy goat farm would keep operating.

“We are not stopping … We have been farming all our lives,” Ms Gandar said.

The cafe opened 3½ years ago. Ms Gandar said it attracted up to 1000 visitors a week in its peak.

Two activists who invaded the property and stole a number of goats.

Three goats and lamb were stolen in December.

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A throng of protesters stormed the business in December. Three goats and a lamb were stolen.

One activist was fined $2 for breaking bio­security laws and $250 for theft after being found guilty without conviction.

Two others were also found guilty of theft and escaped conviction. They were placed on six-month good behaviour bonds.

Ms Gandar said: “The criminals are running the show and the whole farming community is affected.

“They are against anybody having any animal in any way, shape or form.

“They are vegan extremists. I have no problem with vegans. I have a problem with extremists who are committing crimes against innocent victims and randomly targeting businesses.”

Originally published as Militant vegans blamed for Gippy Goat cafe closure, months after activists stole goats