EXCLUSIVE: Authorities raided a Rockbank property Wednesday morning where they suspect animals, including dogs and goats, were illegally slaughtered and sold for human consumption.
A 26-member joint taskforce including Caroline Springs police, Police Search and Rescue, Melton detectives, RSPCA, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Prime Safe and Melton Council arrived at the property about 7.30am.
They found dozens of animals including goats, chickens, dogs, reptiles, horses, pigs, and an emu.
They also found a number of goat carcasses hanging on butcher’s hooks and butchering equipment including saws, blow torches and knives.
Police seized around $200,000 of allegedly stolen machinery and cars from the premises, illegal firearms, ammunition and cannabis plants from a mobile home on the property.
CLICK HERE for our picture gallery of the raid.
The raid was organised after police received a statement from a witness who said they saw a dog being butchered and a blowtorch used to remove its hair before the carcass was hung on a hook.
It was also alleged a man who lives on the large property sold dog meat to around 100 customers for between $100-350.
The witness said the dogs were found through public notices that advertised the animals as free to a good home.
In a separate statement, another witness claimed they saw a man receive a bag of pork at the property. They said the man admitted to buying the meat on a weekly basis at a ‘‘cheap price’’.
No dog meat was found on the premises.
PrimeSafe, the Statutory Authority regulating the safety of meat, poultry and seafood across Victoria, scoured the property and inspected carcasses and equipment and seized and destroyed quantities of meat from a freezer.
PrimeSafe is yet to confirm the origin of the meat, but Chief Executive Brian Casey said the information obtained by its operations and licensing managers during the inspection is subject to further investigation.
The RSPCA checked around 30 dogs on the property, mostly caged and some chained to trees.
Several notices will be issued under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
An RSPCA spokeswomen said while most of the dogs scored ‘‘good body condition’’ ratings, poor animal husbandry practices existed.
‘‘Dirty cages, with a huge build of faeces and urine, with dirty water or lack of [was witnessed].’’ the spokeswoman said.
A dog that was too tall for its cramped cage was moved to a larger shed following RSPCA advice.
An emaciated goat was put down and taken away for post mortem.
The RSPCA spokeswoman said other goats were in poor condition and lameness was a concern due to possible foot rot, abscesses or overgrown hooves.
Two restricted breed dogs were also found on the property.
A Melton Council spokesman said the owner has been issued with notices of declaration for the restricted breed dogs.
A 41-year-old Rockbank man has been charged and bailed on criminal offences in relation to the raid.
