Victoria’s livestock welfare regulator is investigating dozens of allegations against the Bendigo Livestock Exchange after an animal welfare group spent seven months covertly filming inside the saleyard. Agriculture Victoria said in a statement that it is assessing 81 separate allegations arising from the footage, which an animal advocacy organisation says shows animals being mistreated during handling and sale processes.
The footage has not been independently verified by VCN, and no findings have been made against the saleyard or any individual at this stage. Agriculture Victoria’s investigation is ongoing, and the Bendigo Livestock Exchange is yet to respond in detail to the specific allegations raised.
What the investigation covers #
Agriculture Victoria, the state body responsible for enforcing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (Vic) in livestock settings, confirmed it had received a dossier of footage and complaints compiled by the animal welfare group. The regulator said in a statement that it takes all reports of alleged animal mistreatment at saleyards seriously and that authorised officers are working through each of the 81 allegations individually.
VCN understands the footage was gathered over an extended period using cameras positioned to record the handling, penning and sale of livestock moving through the Bendigo facility, one of regional Victoria’s larger livestock exchanges and a key part of the state’s cattle and sheep trading network. Saleyards like Bendigo’s process thousands of head of livestock weekly, acting as a marketplace connecting producers, agents and buyers from across northern and central Victoria.
What the animal welfare group alleges #
The animal welfare group behind the footage says its investigation documents repeated instances of animals being treated in ways it describes as inconsistent with Victoria’s animal welfare standards, including allegations relating to the use of force during handling and the condition of animals passing through the yards. The organisation has described elements of the footage as “sickening” in its own public statements.
These remain allegations made by an advocacy group, not findings of fact. VCN has not been able to independently confirm the context, dates or handling of each incident shown in the footage, and any assessment of whether conduct breached animal welfare law rests with Agriculture Victoria and, ultimately, the courts.
How saleyard welfare complaints are investigated #
Agriculture Victoria said its authorised officers can issue infringement notices, seek enforcement action, or refer matters for prosecution where there is sufficient evidence that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act has been breached. A spokesperson said the regulator’s process includes reviewing the footage supplied, interviewing relevant parties, and examining the saleyard’s own records and procedures.
For a non-specialist reader, it is worth explaining how this differs from a criminal matter involving a person. Animal welfare breaches under Victorian law can result in penalties ranging from infringement notices through to prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court, with penalties varying depending on the severity and whether an individual or a business entity is found responsible. No charges have been laid in relation to this matter as this article was published, and the Bendigo Livestock Exchange has not been named as a defendant in any court proceeding.
The saleyard’s position #
VCN has sought comment from the Bendigo Livestock Exchange. At the time of publication, the saleyard had not provided a detailed public response to the specific allegations contained in the footage. We will update this article if and when a response is received.
It is standard practice for saleyards operating in Victoria to be subject to industry codes of practice covering the handling and welfare of livestock, including the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for livestock at saleyards and depots. Compliance with these standards is a condition of a saleyard’s ongoing operation, and any substantiated breaches can have consequences for a facility’s licensing and market reputation.
Why this matters for regional Victoria #
Saleyards are central to the economic life of many regional Victorian communities, including Bendigo, where the exchange supports local employment and underpins the broader agricultural supply chain linking farmers to meat processors and export markets. Allegations of animal mistreatment at a major facility like this one carry weight well beyond the saleyard gates — they touch on consumer confidence in Victorian livestock production, the reputations of producers who rely on the yards to sell their stock, and the credibility of the regulatory systems meant to oversee animal welfare across the sector.
Animal welfare investigations involving covert filming by advocacy groups have become more common across Australian agriculture in recent years, prompting debate about transparency in the livestock supply chain and the adequacy of existing on-site compliance monitoring. Agriculture Victoria’s handling of this particular investigation is likely to be watched closely both by animal welfare advocates and by industry groups keen to see any substantiated issues addressed without unfairly tarnishing saleyards operating within the rules.
What happens next #
Agriculture Victoria has not indicated a timeframe for concluding its assessment of the 81 allegations. The regulator said it would take appropriate action if breaches of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act are substantiated, but cautioned that each allegation needs to be considered on its own evidence before any conclusions are drawn.
VCN will continue to follow this investigation and will report on any formal findings, enforcement action or charges as they arise. Readers should be aware that at this stage the claims made in the footage are allegations only, and no person or entity has been found to have breached the law in connection with this matter.
Agriculture Victoria encourages anyone with information relevant to animal welfare at Victorian saleyards to contact its Animal Welfare Victoria hotline. Matters involving suspected breaches of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act can also be reported directly to Victoria Police or via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
