A MAN has been charged after authorities raided a Rockbank property 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, and representatives of the RSPCA, Department of Sustainability and Environment, PrimeSafe and Melton Council, arrived at the property about 7.30am last Wednesday.
The story and pictures were reported exclusively on the Melton Weekly website on Wednesday afternoon.
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, blowtorches and knives.
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Police seized about $200,000 of allegedly stolen machinery and cars from the premises, as well as illegal firearms, ammunition and cannabis plants.
A Rockbank man, 41, was bailed after being charged with cultivation of cannabis, handling of stolen goods, and ammunition offences.
The raid came 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 about 100 customers for between $100-350.
The witness said the dogs were sourced 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, inspected carcasses and equipment, and seized and destroyed quantities of meat from a freezer.
It is yet to confirm the origin of the meat, but chief executive officer Brian Casey said the information obtained by its operations and licensing managers during the inspection was subject to further investigation.
The RSPCA checked about 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 spokeswoman 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.
Last Friday afternoon, police said seven dogs had been surrendered to the RSPCA to be rehoused and two were surrendered to other parties.
Three officers were present, along with council and RSPCA inspectors.
Police said the man co-operated with all requests.
Twelve dogs, registered with the council, remain on the property.
Another dog was surrendered to animal activist Debra Tranter and two restricted-breed dogs were seized by the council.
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