By Eryk Bagshaw
NSW Police are investigating “horrific acts of animal cruelty” at a high school south of Sydney.
Police officers arrived at Corrimal High on Sunday morning to find 29 chickens had been killed in a pen at the school, which specialises in agricultural education.
Some of the animals at the Eco Hub at Corrimal High School. Credit: Facebook: Corrimal High School
Inspector Allison Guthrie from Wollongong police said the incident was deeply disturbing.
“These animals have been subjected to horrific acts of cruelty,” Guthrie said.
“It is clear this was not the act of a fox or a feral cat. These chickens were well cared for by the facility and for someone to do this is beyond belief.”
The alleged killings occurred after school hours between 2pm on Friday and 9.30am on Sunday.
A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education said it was appalled by the attack on the chickens in their enclosure.
“The animals in the school farm are much loved by the students and well cared for by dedicated staff,” the spokesperson said.
“School principal Paul Roger has been at the site to assist police in their investigations. As the attack is the subject of a police investigation, we cannot comment further.”
The 300-student institution, the only school in the northern Illawarra with a farm, promotes its agriculture education facilities to students.
The Eco Hub at Corrimal High School. Credit: Facebook: Corrimal High School
“This includes working with the sheep, goats, chickens and alpacas, as well as seed development, plant propagation and management, aquaponics, hydroponics and paddock management,” it says on its website.
Students at the school have described the farm “as a dream come true”. The chicken pen produces three dozen eggs a day.
“It’s really fun because we make some bonds with the alpacas or the chickens,” one student said in a video posted by the Education Department to the school’s website.
“They just come running up to you at the end of the day, and you’re their best friend.”
NSW Police declined to comment on how the chickens were killed.
“We are urging anyone who may have any information about this matter – or who were in the area at the time with any available dashcam/mobile phone footage – to contact Wollongong police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Guthrie said.
Get alerts on significant breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.