Belgrave station: Goats leased by Metro Trains vandalised

Commuters are used to seeing trains covered in graffiti, but vandals have stooped to a new low, defacing goats hired to maintain weeds near a Dandenong Ranges train station.

Graffiti vandals have spray-painted goats leased by Metro Trains that graze near Belgrave train station. Picture: Alex Coppel

Sick vandals have sprayed graffiti on goats used by Metro Trains to maintain weeds close to a Dandenong Ranges train station.

A photo taken just after 6pm yesterday shows black spray-paint swirled across the side of a goat as it grazed in a fenced area close to Belgrave station.

Mieke, who did not want her surname published, said her partner noticed the “poor goat” was one of at least two that had been tagged, before the couple made a report to Metro Trains.

The goats in better times. Picture: Jay Town

The animal is one of six goats Metro Trains has leased from goat landscaping company GrazeAway to help with weed management behind the bus loop at the station.

Metro Trains spokesman James Ireland said since receiving a report of the incident this morning, the company would get in touch with the animals’ caretaker, who would check on their wellbeing.

Mr Ireland said Metro Trains’ vegetation team had been out at the Belgrave site during the day yesterday and had not seen any sign of the vandalism.

“This is an appalling act of vandalism,” Mr Ireland said.

“Metro takes the care of these goats very seriously, we check on them regularly and we will be visiting them today to ensure they are all safe and healthy.

Metro Trains says the vandalism is “appalling”. Pictures: Alex Coppel

“The goats are doing an important job of clearing weeds in the area, which will allow the native plants to thrive.”

Belgrave Sergeant Paul Phillips said police had not received any reports regarding the goats, but officers would investigate the incident.

The photo of the vandalised goat has been shared in a private Facebook group, and has been followed by many comments of shock and disgust at the animal abuse.

Monbulk’s Mel McLay said: “What type of human would graffiti a goat in spray-paint?”

“Geez, there’s some outright gronks out there.”

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RSPCA Victoria policy and advocacy manager Mhairi Roberts said putting paint on animals had the potential to affect their health and wellbeing.

“This incident highlights a lack of empathy and respect for goats as sentient beings, and is not a reflection of community standards around how we should treat animals,” she said.