Wandering Livestock

Despite the fact that Cardinia Shire is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia in terms of population, with 7 families a day moving into the area, it is still a rural area, for the most part. From the hills in the north, to the swamp in the south, farming is a vital ingredient in the makeup of the Shire’s economy.And farmers do it tough. We all know – unless we have no interaction with the media at all – just how tough it has been, not only dairy farmers, but farmers in general.

So then, what do we do, when we find ourselves confronted with wandering livestock on our roads? In many instances, as with many issues today, we rush to social media. But more seriously, when confronted with cattle (or sheep) we have decisions to make.

While there are sections of road designated and signed as in common use for the movement or grazing of livestock, where vehicles must give way, more often we find one or two animals wandering loose. While it is the owners’ responsibility to ensure their livestock is contained, and the Shire’s responsibility to enforce it, this is sometimes easier said than done, especially when there are many miles of fencing involved.

While there is no law in place that I am aware of that says you MUST report wandering livestock, it is stated clearly on the council website that you should report it to them straight away (you can do this by calling 1300 787 624). If you choose to report livestock, council has the power to impound it, which they may do for up to 7 days, and then dispose of it.From the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994

S. 17(1)
amended by
No. 65/2007
s. 63(2).

(1) A council must hold livestock impounded under section 5 for at least 7 days before the council may dispose of the livestock in accordance
with this Part.
(2) The 7 day period referred to in subsection (1) commences on the day that—
(a) the authorised officer of a council impounds the livestock; or
(b) the council is informed of the impounding of livestock under section 9(3) by the owner or occupier of land or an authorised officer; or
(c) if the council has not been informed under paragraph (b), the impounded livestock are delivered to the council pound by the owner
or occupier of land or an authorised officer under section 9(1)(a); or
(d) the impounded livestock are delivered to the council pound by an officer of the Roads Corporation.

S. 18(1)
substituted by
No. 65/2007
s. 65.

18 Sale of unclaimed livestock
(1) A council may offer for sale by public auction or public tender impounded livestock that are not collected within the period within which the livestock
are required to be collected under section 17 or 17A (as the case requires).
(2) A council must not offer livestock for sale if the council has received a notice under section 27(1).
(3) A council may offer impounded livestock for sale by public auction at a council pound or at a saleyard approved by the council.
19 Public notice of sale
(1) A council must give public notice that it intends to sell impounded livestock by public auction or public tender.
(2) A public notice of a council’s intention to sell livestock by public auction must include—
(a) details of the location where the livestock were found;
(b) the number and kind of livestock;
(c) where and how the livestock are branded;
(d) the sex and colour of the livestock and any other descriptive marks;

Whether council does or does not act on your report can come down to which side of the road the cattle are on. In my investigations, numerous people told me that they had attempted to report wandering livestock to council, only to be told that the side of the section of the road the cattle were on was actually part of a neighbouring shire, and not in Cardinia.Several found it much easier and more effective to post on social media to locate or notify the owners and thereby organise the return of the livestock. Of those who do something about it, the majority I spoke to simply help get them away from the road, whether by heading to the nearest farm, or simply herding them into the nearest paddock.

One of the very real questions is, though, knowing and accepting that wandering livestock are a very real danger on our roads, how much damage do they actually cause?

Statistics for this are a little hard to come by, but I know of at least one fatality in Cardinia involving a collision with cattle (no details here; some privacy is required), and have numerous reports of cars being written off, and cattle being put down.RACV statistics indicate more than 5300 insurance claims for accidents involving collisions with animals in 2017. The majority of these, however, were with kangaroos (82%), followed by wombats, dogs, deer and then cows (about 60, total).

In 2015, VicRoads statistics indicated 128 motorists had been injured in collisions involving animals, although I was unable to ascertain any further detail.

What’s also interesting, is that the majority of accidents involving animals occurred north of Melbourne, apparently because the urban expansion northward is putting more kangaroos in the path of motorists.

So how do they get out? In most cases, it is through damaged fencing. Again, with long stretches of fences to maintain, there is no certain way to be sure that it is all secure, and, as we saw at the end of January, the weather can wreak absolute havoc on fences and gates. These can take time to repair. I’ve also been assured (and if anyone can educate me further, I’d be delighted) that cattle can be abnormally clever when it comes to escaping through fences.

Most disheartening, though, were the number of reports I received of stock being deliberately let loose from farms, in several instances being led from isolated paddocks to those closer to roads, and gates being either damaged or left open. These reports do not include any of the recent spate of “vegan freedom fighters” “liberating” animals from their “bondage”.

The flip side of this is for repeat offenders where no action seems to be taken. While I am not going to indicate anywhere or on in particular, I am certain that if you live in one of two or three localities in the Shire, you will know of a particular place where cattle are loose almost every second week.

All advice seems to indicate using your common sense. Slow down on country roads. Be vigilant of your surroundings. Make sure your car lights are in the best condition they can be and use them. And if an animal gets in front of your vehicle, don’t swerve, brake.
Have you been involved in an accident with wandering livestock? Or a near-miss? We’d love to hear from you

To report wandering livestock to council, please call 300 787 624