Possum and joey die after being shot by aluminium crossbow

The RSPCA is searching for the person responsible for shooting a brushtail possum with a crossbow. WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGERY

WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGERY. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

A brushtail possum was callously shot and killed with an aluminium crossbow, and RSPCA SA want to find the person responsible.

The marsupial was found last Monday with the crossbow bolt piercing through its shoulder and out the other side of its body, by an Aberfoyle Park woman who had been caring for it for seven years.

The female possum was alive and clinging to the top of the woman’s garage roller door, but died upon arrival to a vet.

A small joey also died as a result of the incident.

RSPCA SA Chief Inspector, Andrea Lewis, said the animal would have experienced excruciating pain due to the organ and tissue trauma it received.

Possum shot dead with crossbow at Aberfoyle Park. Picture: RSPCA

The possum’s joey died after its mother was shot. Picture: RSPCA

“This animal’s death was neither rapid nor humane,” Inspector Lewis said.

“Aside from being an illegal act, there is no justification for using a method of killing that

causes this kind of extreme and protracted suffering.”

The person responsible is liable for a $50,000 fine, or four-year’s imprisonment, under the state’s Animal Welfare Act.

Possums are a protected species under South Australia’s National Parks and Wildlife Act.