Queensland police are investigating the alleged theft of approximately 5,500 Dorper sheep valued at more than AUD 1.7 million from a farm near Blackall, located about 830 kilometers west of Brisbane. The livestock, comprising both ewes and rams, were reported stolen between February and May of this year.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Elliot of the rural and stock crime squad described the animals as Dorper sheep, a breed distinguished by white wool and black faces, and noted that each sheep was fitted with white National Livestock Identification System tags. Authorities have appealed to the public for information regarding the theft or sightings of sheep matching this description in the region.

Elliot emphasized the complexity of livestock theft investigations, which often involve extensive geographical areas. He noted the importance of collaboration among producers, saleyards, transport operators, and industry stakeholders to identify those responsible and to prevent further criminal activity.

Shane McCarthy, general president of AgForce, highlighted the scale of the theft and its likely financial impact on the affected farm. He expressed concern over a growing trend of livestock theft across Queensland and affirmed confidence that police are treating these cases with urgency. McCarthy suggested that the theft was likely the result of deliberate planning and coordination, pointing out that large-scale sheep rustling typically involves more than one person and can include breeding stolen animals to sell their offspring gradually or processing them through abattoirs.

The exact method by which the sheep were taken remains unclear. Authorities have not confirmed whether multiple trucks were used for transport or if the sheep were mustered from the property in a single operation.

Andrew Martin, mayor of the Blackall-Tambo region and a former Dorper sheep farmer, expressed the belief that the herd was unlikely to have been stolen in one single incident. He speculated that smaller groups of sheep may have been removed over time and taken to abattoirs. Martin also noted that some Queensland farms are vast, with herds numbering up to 25,000 sheep, meaning that losses of thousands of animals can occur without immediate detection, whether due to theft, escapes, predator attacks, or miscounts during mustering.

He described livestock theft, colloquially known as “poddy dodging,” as a longstanding issue in rural Australia, underscoring its persistence despite ongoing efforts to combat it.