ANIMAL welfare activists have called for the harshest possible penalty for a man accused of running over a kangaroo.
The man is accused of running over a kangaroo, tying it to the back of a car and dragging it 2km before dumping the carcass in Wodonga's main street. A baby joey was also injured.
Yesterday, a man charged with animal cruelty over last month's incident did not appear at Wodonga Magistrates' Court, the Herald Sun reports.
Outside, about a dozen activists urged the court to show no mercy. Australian Society for Kangaroos spokeswoman Fiona Corke said the kangaroo would have endured "immense pain and suffering".
"Our wildlife deserves more respect," she said. "It was so incredibly senseless and cowardly.
"A message has to be sent that this is not good enough."
Persons convicted of aggravated animal cruelty can face a maximum fine of $60,000 and two years' jail.
Some locals told the Herald Sun the man had been threatened.
The case was adjourned for another mention hearing in April.
Read more at the Herald Sun
