NO PLACE FOR ROO CRUELTY

EACH weekend hundreds of residents and tourists visit the Coombabah wetlands to get a glimpse of the kangaroos.

There are dozens of the furry creatures – most of them eating grass, chasing their young, and occasionally lifting their heads to inquire on the curiosity of the humans around them.

They are all at peace, minding their own business while children jump in excitement and their parents take photos from their phones and cameras.

It is a pure Australian experience foreigners would pay a motza for. A kangaroo helps hold the shield on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms.

Then we get a story today in which callous idiots are taking their bloodthirsty dogs into reserves after dark for sick kicks.

Residents are jumping into creeks to save kangaroos being mauled by vicious mutts trying to please their owners standing on the banks. People risking injury to ward off the dogs are then abused for ending the blood sport.

If caught and charged with animal cruelty, offenders face fines of up to $30,000. It is even more if they are slugged by the Department of Environment and Science.

Sadly, the cold-hearted acts are not isolated to the Gold Coast. Melbourne media yesterday reported of an increasing number of kangaroos being shot with arrows in Melbourne in the past 10 years.

Victoria Police are investigating three animal cruelty attacks in Melbourne’s outer north since May. Wildlife rescuers want tougher restrictions around the sale of bows and arrows.

A psychiatrist would struggle to answer what drives people to such cruelty. Aside from kangaroos being a protected species, attacking them with vicious dogs and gleefully watching is inhumane.

The thugs need to be caught and prosecuted. Throw the book at them.