Community
17 April, 2026
Keep watch for unusual paddock activity
RESIDENTS are being urged to keep watch for unusual activity around paddocks in the region following a trespassing incident over Easter.
A bull was found deceased on a Weerite property on Wednesday, April 8, with a Victoria Police spokesperson saying the incident occurred sometime between Monday, April 6 and the Wednesday.
“It is believed a deceased bull was located with a gunshot wound in a paddock on Princes Highway on April 8,” the spokesperson said.
“Investigators are yet to ascertain whether the incident was intentional or accidental and the investigation remains ongoing.”
Weerite area farmer Brian Boyd said he received a phone call on the Monday at around 3pm with a report of his cattle being out on Wiridgil Road.
“We went out and the gate had been opened, with wheel marks inside,” he said.
“There were wheel marks from a four-by-four motorbike – they’ve got fairly wide wheels.
“Someone had been there in that 24-hour period and hadn’t closed the gate.
“There were 33 head of cattle walking down Bullarook Road – with the help of neighbours, we got them in.
“I contacted all the neighbours – it’s just public awareness that this in unacceptable.”
Livestock loose on the roads are at risk of being hit by a vehicle or causing an accident if a driver swerves to avoid the animal, making trespass incidents into paddocks riskier as animals can escape if gates are left open.
Mr Boyd said he believed the alleged trespassers may have been seeking wild deer, which are common around the Stony Rises area as t he landscape provides cover and shelter.
“Because of the dry seasons, most lakes are dry,” he said.
“The wildlife of deer, kangaroos and wild pigs are coming onto farming land and drinking from troughs.
“The deer mix with cattle.
“I was out in the paddock and had deer grazing with the cattle in the same paddock – that’s how quiet deer can be.”
Mr Boyd said game shooters who did go into paddocks in the district tended to be locals who had been granted permission by landowners.
“The majority of shooters have farmers’ permission, but in a holiday weekend you do get some out of the district people,” he said.
“All adjoining farmers have given permission to one or two shooters – they are local people – and they’ve shown us their gun licences and have permission to go on the property.”
Anyone with information or anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area or has dashcam or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.