Activists allegedly trespassing properties ruined by bushfires

Animal activists have been allegedly caught trespassing on properties devastated by Victoria’s bushfires, with one landowner saying he returned to his home’s ruins to find his dogs had been taken and an aviary of 50 pigeons released.

Rex Newton says he returned to his home’s ruins to find his dogs had been taken and an aviary of 50 pigeons released. Picture: Mark Stewart

Members of an animal liberation group have been allegedly caught trespassing on properties devastated by Victoria’s latest bushfires.

At least two members of the group were spotted on a property at Tonimbuk, where several homes were destroyed by the Bunyip State Park fire.

Rex Newton, who lost everything in the blaze at the weekend, said he returned to the ruins of his house to find his dogs had been taken and an aviary of 50 pigeons released.

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“They are my bloody animals,” Mr Newton said. “How do the police stop residents returning to their homes, to their animals, yet these activist are able to access our properties?”

It was not yet clear which group the pair belonged to.

Victoria Police yesterday confirmed two females identifying themselves as animal liberationists had requested access past a Princes Highway roadblock around 1pm to “help an injured kangaroo”.

They were denied access.