OWNERS or persons in charge of livestock have a responsibility for ensuring the health and welfare needs of their livestock and animals are met. AgVic program manager of livestock and welfare compliance Veronica Campbell said this includes providing animals with proper and sufficient food, ensuring sick or injured animals are provided with appropriate attention or treatment, and that basic husbandry practices such as shearing are carried out. AgVic officers who are authorised under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 have a number of tools available under the act, including legal notices issued to owners or persons in charge of livestock, to direct them to cease committing an offence or to ensure an offence is not committed. AgVic has recently conducted three seizures of livestock in a three-month period. "In serious cases where the animals are at risk of distress and disablement and the owner or person in charge has failed to comply with directives, Agriculture Victoria can undertake a seizure of the affected animals, removing them permanently from the owner or person in charge," Ms Campbell said. "In December 2024, fifty-five sheep were seized from a Broomfield property due to repeated failure to shear the animals for a number of years. "In January 2025, fifty-two cattle were seized from a property in Murrayville due to a failure to provide proper and sufficient feed to the cattle, resulting in a large number dying across the property. "In February 2025, 441 cattle were seized from a Balmattum property due to an ongoing failure to provide proper and sufficient feed to the cattle. Ms Campbell said the matters relating to the recently seized livestock were not finalised due to their serious nature. "While we know the majority of farmers are doing the right thing, livestock producers who don’t take appropriate action to prevent and address animal welfare issues can face regulatory action, including prosecution for offences under the Act." Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact AgVic on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au For information on dry seasonal and drought support, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons
