Three women charged, two animals recovered
A pet goat wearing a nappy was seen by Baw Baw CIU detectives at a Koo wee rup house last week before they arrested and charged two women with theft of livestock from the Gippy Goat Café.
A third woman was charged yesterday. The charges relate to allegations the three women stole goats and a lamb from the Yarragon property on Sunday, December 23.
A 24-year-old Koo wee rup woman and a 43year-old Boneo woman were charged with theft last week. Detectives yesterday charged a 37-year-old Seaholme woman with theft.
Two lactating goats, a dairy doe being treated for lameness, as well as a black kid and an unweaned lamb from a children’s petting nursery were allegedly stolen from the Gippy Goat Café.
About 50 animal activists attended at the Gordons Rd property at about 6.45am on December 23. Police reported at the time that when they arrived at the farm activists were threatening to remove the entire herd which consisted of about 1000 goats.
As a result of the incident, the café closed its doors for several days until December 27.
Detectives executed a search warrant at a Koo wee rup house last Monday before charging a 24-year-old woman with theft.
Detectives recovered the allegedly stolen lamb and dairy goat. Detectives reported there was other unrelated livestock at the property and a pet goat was seen inside the house in nappies.
The 43-year-old woman was arrested at a Rosebud property last Monday and also was charged with theft.
Detectives are still searching for the other missing animals and investigations are continuing, with more arrests possible.
The three women were bailed to appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on February 18.
The Gippy Goat Café Facebook page reported last Monday the lamb and the milking doe had been located and returned.
Owner John Gommans was pleased to have two of the animals returned. He reported the lamb was in good condition, but the milking doe had lost a lot of weight and was no longer in milk.
The café acknowledged the assistance of police in pursuing the investigation.
The Facebook post said activists had claimed the goat was ill and was not receiving treatment.
Mr Gommans said it was the second time in six months that activists had targeted the cafe and stolen animals.