Former AFL Rookie Charged in Major Cattle Theft Case

Joseph Dare, a 34-year-old farmer from the Colac district, was charged on Monday with theft, obtaining property by deception, and offenses under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

The charges relate to the alleged theft of approximately 40 cattle, worth about $80,000, from a Pirron Yallock property in February. The incident was discovered when the cattle owner reportedly observed his animals being transported by an unfamiliar B-double truck and pursued the vehicle.

Police intercepted the missing cattle at an abattoir in Tongala, approximately 300 kilometers away, shortly before they were scheduled for slaughter.

The recovered load contained cattle from the February theft along with other unidentified animals that police are now attempting to identify.

Background: A History of Animal Welfare Breaches

Dare was once a promising footballer, selected by Carlton in the 2010 Rookie Draft, though he did not play an AFL game. He later returned to local leagues in south-west Victoria and took up coaching at Alvie.

Between 2022 and 2024, Dare owned and managed approximately 1,300 cattle on multiple properties in the region. However, his farming career has been marred by serious animal welfare issues.

In July 2023, Dare pleaded guilty to 23 animal cruelty charges after Agriculture Victoria officers found hundreds of animals dead or dying from emaciation and dehydration on his properties. He was subsequently fined $75,000 and banned from owning or overseeing cattle for ten years. Investigators are now examining whether the recent charges constitute a breach of this court order.

A Broader Pattern of Livestock Theft

These charges come amid an ongoing police investigation into multiple cattle thefts in south-west Victoria, an operation that also involves examining the roles of livestock agents and abattoirs.

This was the second cattle theft incident at Pirron Yallock in three months, following the disappearance of 36 cattle worth about $60,000 in December.

According to Crime Statistics Agency data, livestock theft remains a significant issue, with 168 recorded cases in Victoria in 2025, 138 of which remain unsolved. The financial incentive for such thefts may be increasing; the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that beef prices have risen 13.5% in the 12 months to February 2026.

Legal Proceedings Underway

Dare was arrested and interviewed by Colac Crime Investigation Unit investigators last month. He has been charged on summons and is scheduled to appear at court in August.

A police spokesperson confirmed that the cows intercepted at the abattoir are safe and will be returned to their rightful owner.