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Police Investigate Death of Pet Horse After Suspected Shooting Near Geelong - Geelong, VIC
Smart summary
Detectives are investigating the death of a 27-year-old pet horse in Lovely Banks after the animal was found with what police believe was a gunshot wound.
Police in Victoria are investigating the death of a beloved 27-year-old pet horse in Lovely Banks, near Geelong, after the animal was found collapsed in a paddock with what investigators believe was a gunshot wound. Geelong Crime Investigation Unit detectives released an appeal for information on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, asking members of the public to come forward with information, CCTV or dashcam footage that could help establish what happened.
The horse, named Dane, was last seen alive in a paddock at a property off Anakie Road in Lovely Banks at approximately 7pm on Wednesday, 16 September. According to police, the horse was discovered the following morning at about 8am after its owner found it collapsed in the field. The animal had suffered an injury that police believe may have been caused by a firearm.
Dane's death has caused significant distress for his owner, a 28-year-old woman from nearby Corio. Police described the horse as a beloved pet and said investigators are working to determine exactly how the animal was injured and whether the shooting was deliberate.
At this stage, police have not confirmed that a person deliberately shot the horse. Investigators are considering different possibilities, including whether the animal may have been accidentally struck by a projectile fired by hunters in the surrounding area. This means police are seeking information rather than making a final determination about how the horse died.
Geelong detectives are particularly interested in hearing from people who may have been travelling through the Lovely Banks area around the time of the incident. Police have asked anyone who noticed unusual activity, heard a gunshot or saw suspicious vehicles near the property to contact investigators.
Dashcam footage could also be important. Drivers travelling along nearby roads may have captured vehicles or other activity that could assist police in establishing what occurred. Police have encouraged motorists to review footage recorded around the relevant period and contact Crime Stoppers if they notice anything that could assist the investigation.
The investigation remains at an early stage. Detectives are attempting to establish the circumstances surrounding Dane's death and determine whether any criminal offence occurred. Police have not announced any arrests or charges in connection with the investigation.
The incident has also highlighted the concerns of rural and semi-rural property owners about firearm activity around animals and residential properties. Lovely Banks contains a mixture of residential and semi-rural areas, making information from local residents and motorists potentially important to the investigation.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Anonymous information can also be provided through Crime Stoppers Victoria.
This is a new Geelong-area crime investigation and is not the same incident as any of the previously provided crime stories in this chat.
PoliceHorseCrimeInformationInvestigation
Police in Victoria are investigating the death of a beloved 27-year-old pet horse in Lovely Banks, near Geelong, after the animal was found collapsed in a paddock with what investigators believe was a gunshot wound. Geelong Crime Investigation Unit detectives released an appeal for information on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, asking members of the public to come forward with information, CCTV or dashcam footage that could help establish what happened.
The horse, named Dane, was last seen alive in a paddock at a property off Anakie Road in Lovely Banks at approximately 7pm on Wednesday, 16 September. According to police, the horse was discovered the following morning at about 8am after its owner found it collapsed in the field. The animal had suffered an injury that police believe may have been caused by a firearm.
Dane's death has caused significant distress for his owner, a 28-year-old woman from nearby Corio. Police described the horse as a beloved pet and said investigators are working to determine exactly how the animal was injured and whether the shooting was deliberate.
At this stage, police have not confirmed that a person deliberately shot the horse. Investigators are considering different possibilities, including whether the animal may have been accidentally struck by a projectile fired by hunters in the surrounding area. This means police are seeking information rather than making a final determination about how the horse died.
Geelong detectives are particularly interested in hearing from people who may have been travelling through the Lovely Banks area around the time of the incident. Police have asked anyone who noticed unusual activity, heard a gunshot or saw suspicious vehicles near the property to contact investigators.
Dashcam footage could also be important. Drivers travelling along nearby roads may have captured vehicles or other activity that could assist police in establishing what occurred. Police have encouraged motorists to review footage recorded around the relevant period and contact Crime Stoppers if they notice anything that could assist the investigation.
The investigation remains at an early stage. Detectives are attempting to establish the circumstances surrounding Dane's death and determine whether any criminal offence occurred. Police have not announced any arrests or charges in connection with the investigation.
The incident has also highlighted the concerns of rural and semi-rural property owners about firearm activity around animals and residential properties. Lovely Banks contains a mixture of residential and semi-rural areas, making information from local residents and motorists potentially important to the investigation.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Anonymous information can also be provided through Crime Stoppers Victoria.
This is a new Geelong-area crime investigation and is not the same incident as any of the previously provided crime stories in this chat.
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