By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A WILDLIFE Victoria spokeswoman has called for stricter penalties for animal cruelty following the death of an eastern grey kangaroo shot by two arrows a fortnight ago.
The call comes as two people were questioned by police for carrying bows in the same Endeavour Hills area last week.
Wildlife Victoria’s Amy Amato said fines weren’t a harsh enough punishment for animal cruelty.
“We don’t believe justice will be served as with many other incidents like this in the past, the penalties for such crimes are just not significant enough,” she said.
A 21-year-old Dandenong man was interviewed and released pending further inquiries in relation to the attack on Hilary, who was rushed to an emergency wildlife vet after being shot with two arrows in her back and side.
Ms Amato said Wildlife Victoria was planning to release Hilary before her condition took a turn for the worse on Friday night.
“Tears have been flowing as Hilary touched many hearts and we all hoped that she would make a miraculous recovery, but it wasn’t to be,” she said.
“Unfortunately, her injuries were too severe and as much as Hilary showed some promising signs of recovery, the stress and pain was just too much for her.”
Fears for the kangaroo’s well-being and potential spinal damage were rife after one arrow was lodged 14 centimetres deep in its back.
Coincidentally, a man and woman were issued a warning under the National Park’s Act by Parks Victoria and interviewed by police for carrying bows and arrows in the same area. A Parks Victoria spokesperson said the pair were carrying a target with them and had no intent to harm any wildlife.
A Victorian Police spokesman said it was a disaster waiting to happen to carry weapons in this type of environment.
“People need to use common sense and not go off with a bow and arrow or any weapons that they could fire and hurt wildlife or humans,” the spokesperson said.
This latest attack comes after the death of a male kangaroo shot in the neck by an arrow in Narre Warren in November.
Kangaroos are protected under the Wildlife Act and anyone with information can contact Wildlife Victoria on 1300 094 535.
