Police stomp, shoot kangaroo in controversial footage
Footage has emerged of police officers appearing to stomp on and shoot an injured kangaroo on a suburban street. Queensland police have offered an explanation, but the RSPCA says it will investigate. SEE THE VIDEO
Footage of police officers stomping on and shooting an injured kangaroo has caused outrage on social media, hostile comments towards police and sparked an RSPCA investigation.
Police confirmed they came across an injured kangaroo on Dalrymple Drive at Toolooa in Gladstone about 1am on January 15.
After hearing gunshots, residents from a nearby house filmed part of the incident as it unfolded.
There are claims up to 15 shots were fired at the kangaroo throughout the ordeal.
One video depicts an officer stomping on the roo, another shows him slowly approaching with a torch before shooting it.
The police then dragged the carcass away into nearby bushland.
Queensland Police said officers decided to euthanise the animal because of its broken right leg and ‘was clearly in a lot of pain’.
“A risk assessment was made of the location in regard to euthanising the kangaroo by use of firearm,” the police statement said.
“The roadway was blocked off and the time of the incident was in the early hours of the morning there was no pedestrian foot traffic and only one vehicle passed the area when no shots were fired.
“A number of attempts by the officers were made using their service firearms, however some were unsuccessful due to the kangaroo moving and one of the officer’s firearms sustaining a stoppage before the animal was euthanised.
“The officers were able to euthanise the animal.”
RSPCA spokeswoman Emma Lagoon said their Inspectorate would investigate the matter and would talk to police now that the footage has been brought to their attention.
“RSPCA defines humane killing as when an animal is either killed instantly or rendered insensible until death ensures, without pain, suffering or distress,” she said.
“A humane death can be achieved by a lethal injection or gunshot when carried out appropriately and by suitably competent operators.”
But she said it was unlikely the kangaroo could have been saved and the RSPCA dealt with many similar situations where roos had been hit by cars and their injuries could not be rectified, so needed to be euthanised.
“In this case a firearm was used and when it was used death appeared to follow immediately,” Ms Lagoon said.
“However, the footage appears to show an officer stomping on the kangaroo’s neck or head in an unnecessary manner and also there appears to be a delay in the use of the firearm.
“These factors would cause us to consider if the actions taken were completely in the best interest of this obviously suffering animal.”
She said RSPCA supported humane euthanasia methods for injured animals where medical assistance was unavailable to alleviate suffering.
“We don’t believe reform is needed, rather better understanding of the most appropriate ways to euthanise animals in field situations and perhaps better and more regular training would prepare all officers to be ready to deal with every animal situation.”
