Joey burned and cats beheaded in ‘most disgusting act of cruelty’
A wallaby joey has survived the “most terrible, disgusting act” of animal cruelty wildlife rescuers say they've witnessed.
Taking to Instagram, Hunter Wildlife Rescue warned its followers the story they were posting would be upsetting, but insisted it needed to be told.
Their volunteers were alerted to a "horrific" incident by walkers visiting bushland behind Cardiff, 17km south-west of Newcastle, on Friday.
The two young men first suspected something was wrong when they smelled smoke in the forest.
Rushing to investigate, they found a dead female swamp wallaby, which is believed to have been shot in the head with a rifle.
Nearby, two cats heads were observed hanging from a tree.
Wallaby joey found inside burning cage
What the bushwalkers found next left Hunter Wildlife Rescue president Audrey Koosman feeling ill.
"This is probably the worst thing I've ever come across," she told Yahoo News Australia.
"That's because there was a live animal involved."
Following the smoke to its source, the two men discovered two burning logs on top of a cage buried in a hole almost a metre deep.
Inside they found a baby swamp wallaby in a state of shock, shivering with fear.
The tiny five-month-old joey, which rescuers later named Warrior, would have still been living in his mother's pouch before the incident occurred.
"He would have died a terrible death if the young men hadn't been doing a bit of bushwalking, found him and reported it to us," Ms Koosman said.
"They're certainly heroes."
NSW politician 'shocked and sickened' by wallaby incident
Animal Justice Party MLC Mark Pearson said he believes the act inflicted upon Warrior could constitute “torture” under the Crimes Act.
“I’m shocked and sickened by this extreme level of cruelty. It is clear the person or people who did this to these wallabies and cats did so with the intent to harm,” he said.
“These animals, particularly the wallaby joey, would have suffered incredible stress and pain.”
Lake Macquarie Police told Yahoo News Australia they are aware of the incident and are making inquiries.
They urged anyone who may be able to assist to contact Belmont Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333.
Call for tougher penalties for wildlife abusers
Hunter Wildlife Rescue said the attack on Warrior and his mum was the third animal cruelty case carers had attended to in a week.
"There's some crazy people out there, and attending to these incidents is very upsetting," Ms Koosman told Yahoo News Australia.
"It's nightmare material for us having to deal with this sort of stuff."
Speaking generally, Ms Koosman said she urgently wants to see laws revised so that those convicted of animal cruelty are sent to prison more regularly.
"People that do these things need more than a slap on the wrist or weekend detention," she said.
Joey recovering well in care, rescuers reveal
Once freed from its cage by the bushwalkers, Warrior received specialised care from macropod volunteers and veterinary staff.
After being placed in intensive care due to shock, and receiving treatment for a burn on his nose and the top of his head, Hunter Wildlife Rescue said he is now improving.
"He's really looking well and he's gone from strength to strength," Ms Koosman said.
Until those behind the incident are caught, they remain concerned for the safety of animals living in the area.
Anyone wishing to help with the joey’s care can donate to Hunter Wildlife Service here.
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