Students devastated as vandals break into Alawa Primary School, kill animals

ALAWA Primary School students have been left devastated after vandals broke into the school’s farm to kill, steal and set animals free

Alawa Primary School pupils Aspasia Pizanias and Amahla Hoffman-Dalton with goats Moana and Ariel. Vandals have been killing and stealing animals at the school, as well as setting them free Picture: KATRINA BRIDGEFORD.

ALAWA Primary School students have been left devastated after vandals broke into the school’s farm to kill, steal and set animals free.

Four rabbits and a guinea pig have been stolen during separate break-ins over the course of three weeks.

The farm was hit the worst last Friday night when criminals cut a hole in the fence, dragged the two goats out, killed fish and set some endangered northern hopping mice free. The students had been working on a unique breeding program for another species of endangered mice as a special project.

Students Aspasia Pizanias and Amahla Hoffman-Dalton said it was devastating to know someone had broken into the school farm.

“I thought it was disgusting, it’s upsetting to think someone would do that for fun,” Amahla said.

The vandals have been able to easily access the area after the barbed wire perimeter fencing was damaged during Cyclone Marcus. It’s expected to be fixed in the next few weeks. Farm manager Libby Smith said the goats were found by a member of the public around 7pm Friday, and kept safe until staff could bring them back to school.

“I was really disappointed for the animals and worried that they had been injured,” she said. “Our kids when they hear what’s happened they are often quite emotional.”

Ms Smith said they were reluctant to replace the animals until the fence was fixed. Principal Sandy Cartwright said the school was now looking into installing CCTV cameras. “We’re trying do a bit of fundraising to put some CCTV in,” she said. She called for the culprits to own up and come forward.

“We hope that whoever did this regrets it and I’d like them to own up it come and apologise and come and do some community service,” she said.

NT Police said there were no forensics at the scene but anyone with information was urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.