Farmer posts reward after dog shot at family nursery

Farmer offers $20,000 reward after family dog shot in suspected drive-by attackPosted Sat 1 Aug 2026 at 8:35amSat 1 Aug 2026 at 8:35amTom Powell was at his nursery with the family dog, Daisy, when she was shot. (Supplied: Tom Powell)In short:A north-east Victorian farmer has put forward a $20,000 reward after his dog was shot at his family nursery near Beechworth.The dog survived the incident.What's next?Authorities have been informed, but no charges have been issued.A north-east Victorian farmer is offering a $20,000 reward after his family dog was shot in a suspected drive-by attack.Tom Powell was driving an all-terrain vehicle at his plant nursery in Stanley, near Beechworth, when his German short-haired pointer, Daisy, was shot just metres from where he was driving.The dog was running with eight other family dogs before the incident around 8:40am on May 15.Two staff members were also on site nearby weeding garlic.Mr Powell said Daisy survived the shooting; the bullet entered her rear leg and exited her abdomen.Daisy was fortunate to recover from her bullet wounds. (Supplied: Tom Powell)The beloved family pet is recovering well having received around $2,700 worth of veterinary care.The family initially offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to conviction, and has since ramped up the offering due to concerns about community safety."$20,000 is not actually a lot when you're talking about people's lives; it's quite a small amount actually," Mr Powell said.Daisy is at home recovering from her injuries. (Supplied: Tom Powell)"Daisy was shot, but what if that was one of my boys — they're 25, 30 years old, working here all the time, our grandchildren, staff, customers."It's not a lot, but it may get people talking and might make a difference."Mr Powell said he has lodged a police report and that an investigation is underway, but that no leads had been uncovered.He said he was convinced the shooting was deliberate after the family was subject to a string of complaints over the past decade in relation to the business."There's no consequences for people's actions anymore, and it's probably taking advantage of that … and just people trying to scare us and Daisy got shot."Stanley is a popular town for families to visit orchards in north-east Victoria. (ABC News: Erin Somerville)Mr Powell said he believed she was shot by a person driving by the nursery on Stanley Road.The family previously successfully turned to social media around four years ago when $20,000 worth of bikes and tools were stolen from their property.They offered a $10,000 reward, with the community call-out generating important information, Mr Powell said.Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.