Ballarat man ordered to pay $2,800 after dogs kill seven goats
Aaron Hird must pay $2,800 in compensation and serve community corrections. His two unregistered dogs killed seven goats near Ballarat.
Aaron Hird left his two American bulldog-Staffordshire terrier crosses at a friend's rural property near Ballarat in January 2026. Hird was going away for the weekend.
The friend was not home. Aaron Hird's dogs escaped into a neighbouring property and killed seven goats.
Hird told council investigators he had known his friend would not be there to watch them. The dogs were also unregistered at the time.
In Ballarat Magistrates' Court on October 1, Hird pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident. Magistrate Mike Wardell ordered him to pay the goats' owner $2,800 in compensation.
He also sentenced Hird to a two-year community corrections order. Hird must also complete 250 hours of unpaid community work.
- $2,800
- Compensation ordered
- Seven goats
- Livestock killed
- January 2026
- Incident date
- Ballarat Magistrates' Court
- Court location
Why it mattersPet owners are legally responsible for their animals. They must keep them contained. They must prevent harm to neighbours' property and livestock.
AustraliaThis Ballarat court case reinforces Victoria's legal requirements for dog owners to secure their animals or face criminal charges and substantial financial penalties.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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