Joseph Dare, a 34-year-old former footballer who was once on the books of Carlton Football Club, has been charged with stealing cattle in a shocking case that follows his previous conviction for severe animal neglect. Dare, who joined the Blues during the 2010 Rookie Draft but never played a senior game, now faces allegations of theft, obtaining property by deception, and offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Cattle Theft Allegations and Police Investigation
On April 20, Dare was formally charged in connection with the theft of cattle believed to be worth up to $80,000. The livestock were allegedly stolen from a property in Victoria's southwest between February 19 and February 25. In a dramatic turn, the cattle were recovered in March at an abattoir in Tongala, located in the Goulburn Valley region of northern Victoria, more than 300 kilometres from the McCorkells Road farm where they were reportedly taken.
Police intervened shortly before the animals were scheduled for slaughter, ensuring their safety. A police spokesperson confirmed to News Corp that the cows are safe and will be returned to their rightful owner. Authorities are also investigating a separate theft from December 2025, where 36 cattle worth approximately $60,000 went missing from a farm on the same road in Pirron Yallock.
Background and Previous Animal Cruelty Conviction
Following his unsuccessful stint at Carlton, Dare returned to local football leagues in south-west Victoria, playing for clubs such as Cobden and Colac before taking up a coaching role at Alvie. Between 2022 and 2024, he owned and managed around 1,300 cattle across multiple properties in the region.
This latest incident comes after Dare pleaded guilty to 72 animal cruelty and neglect charges in 2025. Magistrate Franz Holzer described the case as one of the worst examples of animal neglect he had ever witnessed, convicting the dairy farmer and imposing a $75,000 fine. The Colac Magistrates Court heard harrowing accounts of livestock suffering and dying on Dare's farm in Dreeite.
Details of the Neglect and Sentencing
The charges included allegations that Dare failed to provide appropriate care, treatment, or attention to the animals, and did not supply sufficient food. Some animals suffered from severe health issues, including lung disease, pneumonia, starvation, dehydration, and trauma. One officer at the scene described the cows as walking skeletons, while Magistrate Holzer labelled the farm animal killing fields during sentencing.
He remarked that Dare had acquired unwell animals and then neglected them further, calling the behaviour shameful. As part of the 2025 conviction, Dare was banned from owning cattle for a period of 10 years. He is scheduled to next appear in court in August to face the new theft-related charges.
