Langwarrin animal cruelty: Birds killed in alleged petrol attack on Frankston-Cranbourne Rd property
A sickening act of animal cruelty has seen up to 100 wild birds and their babies burned alive as they nested in wetlands at Langwarrin. Horrified witnesses have described the desperate measures they took to try and save them. GRAPHIC IMAGES
Leader
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Up to 100 wild birds are believed to have been killed or injured after they were set alight in a suspected petrol attack at Langwarrin.
It’s believed a man and a woman boarded a dingy and approached the birds which were nesting on two islands in wetlands at 490 Frankston-Cranbourne Rd Langwarrin about noon on October 31.
The pair allegedly doused the birds — including their babies and eggs — in petrol before setting them alight and returning to the mainland.
One Langwarrin woman, who did not want to be named, told the Leader she witnessed up to 100 birds on fire.
She rushed to the property with a paddle board in a bid to rescue the burning birds as several neighbours watched on in horror.
Langwarrin CFA, RSPCA and Animalia Wildlife Shelter Frankston were also called to the scene.
“It was the worst and most inhumane thing I’ve ever seen in my life … I took my paddle board with a basket and paddled past all the carcasses and devastation, there were eggs and babies on fire,” the woman said.
“There were birds that were on fire and trying to fly away … others stayed on their nest with their eggs.
“(The alleged attacker) was shouting ‘I’ve got a permit’ to the firefighters … then he just got in his car and drove off.”
Representatives from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) arrived at the scene to collect evidence on Monday morning.
The property is believed to be home to cattle and does not have a residence.
The woman said she believed the attacker tried to “wipe out” the birds due to their smell.
However some birds were seen returning to the charred island on Monday morning.
Some birds are recovering under the care of Animalia Wildlife Shelter Frankston however the group could not elaborate due to an ongoing investigation launched by the RSPCA.
“An inspector attend(ed) the site on Saturday as (part of) an emergency animal welfare response and to coordinate the care of the injured native birds,” RSPCA Victoria Inspectorate team leader Karen Collier told the Leader.
“It is an active investigation and we are working with DELWP which is the lead agency for wildlife in Victoria.”
Animalia Wildlife Shelter is funding the bird’s treatment and food.
“We would be extremely grateful for any donations toward their food and care,” a spokeswoman told the Leader.
Donations can be made via Westpac to:
Animalia Wildlife Shelter
ACC: 434072
BSB: 033138
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
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