Williamtown man charged with animal cruelty and gun charges after 98 kangaroos shot dead on Singleton army base

Police have charged a man, who owns a property neighbouring the Singleton army base, with animal cruelty and allegedly seized four firearms after 98 kangaroos were found shot dead within the base.

A firearm allegedly seized by police after 98 kangaroos were shot in and around the Singleton army base. Picture: NSW Police.

Police have charged a man with a string of gun and animal cruelty charges after an investigation into the discovery of nearly 100 dead kangaroos in and around the Singleton army base.

The Hunter Valley rural crime prevention team started an investigation following the discovery of 98 carcasses on the base, known as the Singleton Military Area, along with an ammunition box and two cartridges, on October 8.

The investigation led to a raid on a property at Williamtown, more than 80km away, on Friday.

The commonwealth search warrant led police to seize three firearms allegedly found on the property before a 43-year-old man was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace police station.

He was later charged with six offences including committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal; discharging a firearm upon/over Commonwealth prohibited area; trespassing onto commonwealth land; not keeping a firearm safely; harming or attempting to harm a protected animal; and holder of Category A or B licence not having approved storage.

The investigation was launched after 98 kangaroos were found dead on the Singleton army base in October.

Police have since seized a number of firearms from a second property, which is a neighbouring property to the base – also known as Lone Pine Barracks.

A firearms suspension notice has been issued.

The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on January 13.

The Australian Defence Force failed to answer a series of questions about the security arrangements surrounding the Singleton army base, including whether patrols or other security arrangements had increased following the discovery of the dead kangaroos.

Instead, it released a short statement.

“Defence takes base security seriously and has been working with New South Wales Police in regard to this matter,” a spokeswoman said in the statement.

“As the matter is presently before the courts, Defence cannot provide further comment.”