Rhett Burnie
A CLONBINANE mother has told of her disgust after finding a duck roaming her property with an arrow lodged in its upper body last week.
Jodie Gobbett said she was horrified when she spotted the duck on the edge of a dam with the large arrow protruding from its back.
“It’s just disgusting,” she said.
“It’s a professional arrow – someone’s got a bow and arrow and done this on purpose.”
Ms Gobbett said her eight-year-old daughter, Lauren, had also seen the duck and had insisted on caring for it.
“She’s very upset.
“She’s been caring for the poor thing.
“She’s trying to comprehend who would do this.”
She said she was angry that Lauren had been exposed to such cruelty at a young age.
“She’s already been through Black Saturday and a lot for her age.”
Ms Gobbett said the duck was still conscious when she called Kilmore Wildlife Shelter owner Dr Robyn Coy.
Dr Coy said it was unlikely that the duck would survive its injuries.
“It doesn’t sound good,” Dr Coy said.
The sickening attack on the duck followed two similar incidents in Wandong last week where a cockatoo and a kookaburra were shot dead with a handgun.
“It seems to be open season,” Dr Coy said.
“It’s animal cruelty and it makes me sick.”
The shootings had been reported to police, Dr Coy said.
A Kilmore Police spokesperson told The North Central Review cruelty to animals would not be tolerated.
She said the offenders could face charges over the use of a firearm in a populated area and shooting a native animal if they are caught.
Anyone with information on the attacks can call Kilmore Police on 5781 1811 or Crimestoppers on 1800333000.
