Puppy hanged in rock quarry
North Rockhampton, QLD (AU)Incident Date: Wednesday, Oct 25, 2006
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
A dead puppy has been found hanging by a metal chain from a tree in a central Queensland quarry dubbed an "animal killing field" by the RSPCA.
RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said he was appalled by the Oct 25 discovery of the three-month-old cattle dog cross - the latest canine corpse found at the North Rockhampton quarry.
He said the puppy would have endured a slow and cruel death strung from the branch with its paws just above the ground.
Mr Beatty said the RSPCA was keen to see the culprits prosecuted.
"The maximum penalty for animal cruelty is $75,000 or two years imprisonment and we hope magistrates now see fit to use some of the penalties they have because we haven't seen most of them do it,'' he said.
The decomposing remains of five other dogs, including two found in hessian bags, were uncovered nearby.
Mr Beatty said the RSPCA feared even more dead animals would be discovered after locals told officers it was notorious for being an animal dumping ground.
"At first instance ... this looks like an animal killing field, especially with the image of the puppy hanging by its neck from the branch,'' Mr Beatty said.
"The puppy's been hung by its neck on a metal lead within the past few days - why would someone do that?
"I've seen some awful acts of cruelty in my time but this is right up there ... you've just got to shake your head.''
Among the other dogs was a border collie found with drag marks leading to its body, indicating it could have been killed before it was dumped.
However, he said it was almost impossible to determine what caused the deaths of the other five dogs because the bodies were so badly decomposed.
He estimated that they had been at the quarry for up to a year.
"The hanging of the puppy obviously raises questions about the deaths of some of the other animals,'' Mr Beatty said.
"The pup must have been terrified and would have been struggling and carrying on for a while before it died.'' References
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