Joe Dare to contest more than 40 animal welfare charges

A farmer near Colac, was also a livestock agent and well-known sporting identity, is disputing more than 40 animal welfare charges laid against him.

A Colac district farmer will contest more than 40 charges in court, after being accused of animal welfare malpractice against 170 of his cattle.

Dreeite farmer Joseph Dare’s legal counsel returned to Colac Magistrates’ Court on Monday after Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action charged Mr Dare in September with 43 animal-welfare related charges, from 2022 and 2023.

He farmed more than 1000ha at Nalangil, and was also a livestock agent and well-known sporting identity.

Mr Dare’s lawyer Gregory Lascaris told the court summary case conference discussions had been ongoing with DEECA but the matters had not been resolved.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie scheduled the matters for a contest mention at the Colac Magistrates’ Court on March 31.

DEECA, represented by prosecutor Scott Ward, alleges Mr Dare committed multiple offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, including failing to provide adequate supervision to his mob of 160 cattle causing unreasonable pain or suffering, between July and August last year.

DEECA also alleged he failed to provide adequate supervision of a Limousin bull and three cattle at a Dreeite property, and committed aggravated cruelty against more than 20 cows, which caused “serious disablement”.

Mr Dare was also formerly a player on Carlton’s AFL list and is a premiership coach at the Alvie Football Club.

Originally published as Joe Dare to contest more than 40 animal welfare charges