By Rhett Burnie
SEYMOUR police have seized a mobile phone they say was used to film the bashing death of a small kangaroo in a local park.
The horrific attack happened on Friday, October 21, at around 8pm.
Police allege three men - two aged in their 20s and another in his late teens – captured the young kangaroo from Sungarrin Road in Tallarook before driving it to Seymour.
Mitchell Police Service Area Leading Senior Constable Wendy Willingham described the marsupial’s ordeal as “sickening”.
“It was then let go in Anzac Avenue, about 8pm, where it was nearly struck by oncoming traffic before the group chased it down again in their car and recaptured it,” she said.
Leading Snr Const Willingham said the men then drove the kangaroo to the Seymour Lions Parks, where it was repeatedly hit with a stick and punched until it died.
She said police had interviewed the three men, all from the local area, and charges are expected to be laid.
It is believed video found on one of the alleged attackers’ mobile phones captured the incident from start to finish.
A spokesman for RSPCA Victoria said the organisation was shocked by the killing.
“The allegations of animal cruelty are extremely serious and the RSPCA is shocked and horrified that anyone would think that acts like these are acceptable,” he said.
“Animal cruelty is not tolerated by the RSPCA, the Police or by the community and we urge anyone with information relating to acts of cruelty to contact the RSPCA immediately.”
If found guilty the men face up to $28,000 in fines and two years behind bars.
Leading Snr Const Willingham said the men were driving a dark green early model Ford sedan and is urging witnesses to come forward.
“Anyone who was in these areas around this time or may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact Constable Jethro Malane at Seymour police on 5735 0200,” she said.
