Western District farmer facing 40-plus animal welfare charges

A Colac district farmer, who was also a livestock agent, has appeared in court relating to the care and condition of 170 cattle. See the details.

Joseph Dare is facing 33 animal welfare charges stemming from alleged offences in 2023, and a further 10 charges relating to alleged offences in 2022. Picture: File (Zoe Phillips).

A Colac district farmer is facing more than 40 animal welfare charges relating to the care and condition of 170 cattle over multiple years.

Dreeite farmer Joseph Dare appeared in the Colac Magistrates’ Court on Monday, after he was charged by Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in September.

Mr Dare, who was also a livestock agent and well-known local sporting identity, farms across more than 1000 hectares at Nalangil, located about 15km west of Colac.

Court documents granted to The Weekly Times show Mr Dare is facing 33 animal welfare-related charges stemming from alleged offences in 2023, and a further 10 charges relating to alleged offences in 2022.

DEECA 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 alleges Mr Dare failed to provide adequate supervision of a Limousin bull and three cattle at a Dreeite property on multiple dates between July and August 2022.

The charges also allege Mr Dare committed aggravated cruelty against more than 20 cows, causing “serious disablement”.

In total, Mr Dare faces the following charges for related dates in 2023:

TWENTY-THREE aggravated animal cruelty charges;

SEVEN charges of unreasonably failing to provide veterinary or other appropriate attention or treatment;

THREE charges of failing to provide adequate supervision to cattle with the result that unreasonable pain or suffering was caused, or was likely to be caused.

Mr Dare also faces another 10 charges relating to the 2022 allegations.

Appearing before Magistrate Kimberley Swadesir, Mr Dare’s defence counsel said they had engaged in discussions with DEECA prosecutors and requested the matter be adjourned for further discussions.

He told the court if the matter couldn’t be resolved, it could move to a contest mention.

The matter was adjourned for a further mention hearing in the Colac Magistrates’ Court on February 3, 2025.

Mr Dare had dairy, grazing and fodder properties in the Nalangil region, and The Weekly Times understands the properties totalling 1076ha were recently listed for sale.

In a separate matter at Geelong Magistrates’ Court, Victoria Police alleged Mr Dare drove a vehicle over two sporting ovals and damaged fencing on April 17 this year.

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