NSW Man Charged with Animal Cruelty After Disturbing Footage Surfaces

 A 21-year-old man from rural New South Wales has been charged with multiple animal cruelty offences after distressing videos allegedly depicting acts of abuse surfaced on social media.

The footage, described as “deeply disturbing,” was initially shared by reptile catcher and conservationist Ash McInnes on the Broken Hill Snake Catchers Facebook page. Mr. McInnes, who edited the clips to make them viewable, stated the videos appear to show a man running over an injured kangaroo’s head with a dirt bike, punching a kangaroo, and kicking baby animals.

The man, whose identity cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, is believed to be a local who plays for North Broken Hill Football Club. Reports suggest he had been working across multiple properties during the period the clips were recorded. Following the public release of the footage, he has since deleted all his social media accounts.

Mr. McInnes condemned the footage as “deplorable” and urged the public to report any instances of animal cruelty.

“Please, I beg of you. If you know someone who behaves like this, report them to the police and the RSPCA. This kind of behaviour is sickening,” he stated.

The post quickly gained traction online, amassing over 600 comments from outraged Australians demanding justice.

The footage is believed to have been originally shared on the social media platform Snapchat over a span of three years. Mr. McInnes became aware of the alleged abuse when members of the community began saving and sharing the clips on Facebook.

Fearing that the evidence would soon be erased, he made copies to ensure the footage was preserved, stating, “It has to get out.”

“As someone who has spent 25 years of his life dedicated to conservation and animal education, it really is appalling to see defenceless and harmless animals (allegedly) being treated this way,” he added.

The NSW Rural Crime Prevention Team, in conjunction with officers from the Barrier Police District, launched an investigation into the case.

Following their inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a residence in Broken Hill at approximately 4:00 p.m. on April 1. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with five counts of torturing, beating, and causing prolonged suffering to an animal.

Authorities confirmed that the accused is scheduled to appear in Broken Hill Local Court on May 13.

The case has reignited discussions around animal welfare laws in Australia, with calls for stricter penalties against offenders to deter such acts of cruelty in the future.

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