Livestock theft: Victoria Police issues plea for more information into animal theft

Farmers are being urged to report any suspicious activity as a dedicated police unit attempts to recoup millions of dollars worth of stolen animals.

Victoria Police has issued a plea to farmers to come forward and report incidents of stolen livestock after a series of thefts in central Victoria.

A Victoria Police spokesman said they are investigating the theft of more than 70 sheep from three different locations in the Rheola and Newbridge area, around 40 kilometres west of Bendigo.

The owner of the three properties reported the theft to Victoria Police in November, with the total value of the livestock stolen estimated to be around $28,000.

Victoria Police farm crime co-ordination unit inspector Karl Curran said the unsuspecting farmer was not the only unlucky owner to have been struck down by thieves.

In the past two years alone, Victoria Police estimated $4 million dollars worth of livestock has been stolen, with much still unaccounted for.

“Livestock theft has a significant impact on farmers across Victoria with more than $4,000,000 worth of stock stolen in the past two years alone,” he said.

“Despite this, many incidents are not being reported to police, which hinders our ability to prevent, disrupt or respond to farm crime incidents – if we don’t know we cannot investigate.

“Even if the crime occurred some time ago, we implore livestock owners to report livestock theft and other incidents of farm crime to police as soon as possible via the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

“It is also extremely important for community members to report any suspicious activity – even something as simple as a vehicle they don’t recognise as being local, as this information can prove vital in helping police track offenders and bring them before the courts.”

Victoria Police and NSW Police launched Operation Stock Check late last year.

In December 2020, Victoria Police joined NSW Police and law enforcement agencies from around the country in launching Operation Stock Check.

This national initiative aimed to prevent livestock theft by disrupting the movement of stolen animals.

As part of the operation, police may stop a vehicle carrying livestock at any time and carry out a number of checks including: National Vendor Declarations; ear tags; ripped ears or suspicious ear tagging; and unusual looking groups of livestock such as mixed breeds.

The ongoing operation also involves days of action at Victorian livestock saleyards where members from Victoria Police’s Farm Crime Coordination Unit, Farm Crime Liaison Officers, Highway Patrol units and general duties police are tasked with carrying out similar checks.

These days of action are still ongoing, with the Bendigo Saleyards the site of an Operation Stock Check on Sunday, November 28.

This day of action did not form part of the investigation into the livestock thefts at the three properties north of Bendigo, but they can take place on nominated days at various Victorian saleyards throughout the year.

It is estimated the three thefts took place sometime between August and November 2021.

In relation to these incidents and any other reports of livestock crime, police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Livestock theft: Victoria Police issues plea for more information into animal theft