Further arrests made over animal activist alleged livestock thefts in Gippsland
THREE people have now been charged over the alleged theft of livestock from a Gippsland goat and tourist cafe, with police expecting to make further arrests this week.
THREE people have now been charged over the alleged theft of livestock from a Gippsland goat and tourist cafe, with police expecting to make further arrests this week.
A group of about 70 activists stormed the Gippy Goat Cafe at Yarragon the weekend before Christmas, allegedly stealing three goats and a lamb and loading them into the back of cars.
Last week, police found the lamb and one goat, among other animals unrelated to the theft, at a Koo Wee Rup home wearing human nappies.
A woman, 24, was arrested at the address, while another woman, 43, who police allege was a driver during the incident, was arrested at Rosebud.
On Monday a woman, 37, also alleged to have been driving a car carrying the stolen livestock, was arrested in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Police did not report their find at the Koo Wee Rup home to the RSPCA, as they did not believe the animals were maltreated.
Police said the women remain tight-lipped over the whereabouts of the kid and black doe, which remain missing.
John Gommans, who owns the Gippy Goat Cafe where 1900 goats are also milked, was happy to have the animals returned and hoped to see the others soon. “They can run free on our farm, they don’t have to wear nappies,” he said.
While the lamb was in good condition, Mr Gommans said the milking doe was not. “She lost a lot of weight — clearly she hasn’t been fed a milking diet,” he said.
Activists had earlier claimed the goat was ill and had only been taken after an on-site vet refused it treatment. “They are saying the goat had a fatal disease. It didn’t,” Mr Gommans said. “It had a sore foot and it was under treatment.”
Police said videos, uploaded to social media, proved “instrumental” in making arrests.
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