Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Teenager charged with torturing and killing 20 kangaroos

Youngster alleged to have massacred animals by running over them in utility vehicle

Colin Drury
Wednesday 02 October 2019 15:27 BST
Comments
The kangaroos were found on Sunday morning
The kangaroos were found on Sunday morning (WIRES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

An Australian teenager has been charged with killing 20 kangaroos during an hour-long massacre in which he is said to have slaughtered the animals by running them over in a utility vehicle.

Several joeys were among the dead following the bloodbath in the New South Wales town of Tura Beach.

Bodies were left strewn across suburban streets. Several kangaroos had been hit so hard they had been thrown into nearby gardens. Some were found with broken bones protruding through their skin and fur.

Three babies had to be rescued from the pouches of their dead mothers.

“It was just pure, senseless slaughter,” Janine Gibson, from the Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “People were horrified.”

The charged youngster, who has not been named, will now appear in court in November accused of cruelty offences, torture and causing the deaths of animals during the incident on Saturday night.

Inspector Peter Volf said: “We take incidents such as these very seriously and anyone who engages in activities such as these will face the full brunt of the law.”

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Under New South Wales law, anyone convicted of animal cruelty faces up to five years in jail and a fine of A$22,000 (£12,000).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in