Australia’s wildlife rescue organisation WIRES has described the running down of kangaroos in the vicinity of Cowra’s Bellevue Hill as “distressing”.
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In a short statement to the Cowra Guardian this week WRES Chief Executive Officer Leanne Taylor said the actions, reported last week were of concern to the organisation.
“It is very distressing for the community and is of concern to WIRES that native animals may have been deliberately injured or killed,” Ms Taylor said.
“Our role is to protect native animals and we will continue to assist the local authorities with their enquires.”
Ms Taylor is encouraging anyone witnessing animal cruelty to please report it immediately to the Police and RSPCA.
Members of the public reported the matter to the Cowra Guardian last week after witnessing groups in four wheel drives deliberately running down the kangaroo which gather in parts of north Cowra around Bellevue Hill and the Cowra Prisoner of War camp.
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Track marks on the grass verges from the Japanese Garden to the POW campsite show where the vehicles have been.
”These kids are out killing the animals for fun,” a concerned resident said last week.
Cowra Shire Council is currently talking about its options to humanely deal with the growing kangaroo population in the area and has also asked anyone witnessing anything to contact Cowra police.
Penalties for animal cruelty offences vary in each state of Australia and are covered by a number of different Acts but all have provisions for jail terms and fines.
The maximum penalties in NSW, according to the RSPCA website is five years jail and $22,000 for an individual under the Crimes Act 1900, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.
Following last week’s coverage of the issue residents in the have reported no problems in the area.
