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, RSPCA, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, PrimeSafe and Melton Council, arrived at the property about 7.30am last Wednesday.
They found dozens of animals such as 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.
Police seized about $200,000 of allegedly stolen machinery and cars from the premises, as well as illegal firearms, ammunition and cannabis plants from a mobile home on the property.
A Rockbank man, 41, was bailed after being charged with cultivation of cannabis, handling of stolen goods, and ammunition offences.
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 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.
PrimeSafe 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.
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.
Two restricted-breed dogs were also found on the property.
Council's general manager of corporate services, Peter Bean, said the owner had been issued with notices of declaration for the restricted breed dogs.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment seized 30 frogs, four central bearded dragons, two eastern bearded dragons, six painted dragons, one blue tongue lizard, a python and a crucifix toad.
"A wildlife licence is required by anyone keeping and trading protected wildlife in Victoria," DSE compliance officer Sam Moore said.
"Wildlife must be acquired from a legal source and licence holders must maintain complete, accurate and up-to-date records detailing their trade in and breeding of any wildlife."
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