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EAST BENDIGO CRUELTY CASE #17587

  • Writer: Sheep Advocate Australia
    Sheep Advocate Australia
  • Dec 3, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Mar 6

3rd December 2025

 

Animal Health & Welfare

Agriculture Victoria

8 Nicholson St,

Melbourne VIC 3000

 

 

Dear Agriculture Victoria,   

         

 RE: East Bendigo Case #17587 – 7th Formal Complaint

 

 We write to lodge a formal complaint regarding breaches of the following:


  1. Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Sheep (Victoria) (Revision Number 3) and associated regulations.

  2. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (Vic)

 

 The offences documented in this complaint include:

 

• Failure to operate above a minimum standard in accordance with the code.

• Failure to provide adequate supervision.

• Failure to protection from pain, injury.

• Failure to shear according to clause 8.3

 

On the 30th of November and the 1st of December 2025, Sheep Advocate Australia documented further animal suffering and neglect at the ####### property Case (#17587). This is our 7th formal lodgment and request for action.


We present further distressing evidence of continued and escalating neglect at this property. Despite repeated assurances from Agriculture Victoria that this case is “under investigation,” it is abundantly clear that no meaningful inspection, enforcement action, or welfare intervention has taken place.



New Evidence of Ongoing Cruelty and Severe Neglect


  1. A single ram with active flystrike on his abdomen, coupled with an advanced skin condition resulting from prolonged neglect. The placement of the strike risk indicates imminent infection and death.

  2. At least two unshorn ewes displaying severe wool-break, with fleece falling off and dragging along the ground.

  3. Multiple unshorn sheep rubbing themselves along fences, exhibiting obvious signs of heavy lice infestations.

  4. Additional sheep with long-overdue shearing requirements, many still carry untreated lice.

  5. Several sheep with active flystrike on their rear ends, consistent with delayed and absent treatment.

  6. A single ewe with a significantly enlarged, feeding udder and no lamb at foot—strongly suggesting her lamb had passed away.

  7. At least three sheep with heavy accumulations of excrement attached to their tails, placing them at extreme, immediate risk of flystrike.

  8. Intact rams present and freely impregnating the flock, with no effort made to manage or control breeding.



Regulatory Failure


Sheep Advocate Australia again calls attention to the ongoing and systemic failures of Agriculture Victoria. This producer has been repeatedly flagged for severe neglect, yet:


  • No corrective actions have been undertaken,

  • No enforceable directions have been applied,

  • And no improvements to animal care have been observed.


Agriculture Victoria continues to claim that this case is “under investigation,” yet the continued untreated suffering of these animals proves that no active investigation is taking place.



We will continue to monitor this property closely until visible, verifiable action is taken.

Mass Gravesite (Not Documented This Visit)


On this occasion we did not re-document the mass gravesite to determine whether additional bodies have been added. Given the current state of the flock - and clear evidence that the operator is not providing medical treatment, flystrike prevention, adequate shearing, or lice management - we consider it highly likely that further deaths have occurred.


The owner has been repeatedly observed on site mending fences while ignoring the animals in plain view who require urgent care.



Public Concern and Government Inaction


Public outrage surrounding this case continues to escalate. Numerous members of the public have lodged concerns directly with the Agriculture Minister, the Department Director, and Agriculture Victoria.


Yet no firm action has been taken.


This ongoing neglect highlights what we have consistently stated:

Agriculture Victoria is not an effective animal welfare regulator.

This case - now reaching its seventh complaint - exposes a system that is unresponsive, ineffective, and unwilling to intervene even in the most clear-cut instances of documented suffering.


Photographic and video evidence supplied.


We respectfully ask that you investigate the evidence provided in this complaint as a matter of urgency.

 

We await your response.

 

Yours faithfully,


Sheep Advocate Australia

 
 
 

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