COURT ISSUES WARRANTS FOR ARREST OF TWO MEN CHARGED WITH SHOOTING A KANGAROO IN THE HEAD WITH A CROSS-BOW

Spot survived for nine days with arrow bolt in his skull

Photo of Spot taken by Marcus Smith

Brothers James and Robert Calleja, both of Sunbury, were charged with trespass and animal cruelty offences after allegedly shooting a kangaroo named “Spot” in the head with a cross bow on private property in the Macedon Ranges in Victoria in August 2015. The crossbow bolt was lodged in Spot’s head for nine days before he could be rescued by wildlife teams. The injury was described by a rescuer as ‘horrific’.

A veterinarian performed surgery to remove the arrow and Spot was taken to a wildlife sanctuary but he died from shock a few days later.

In August 2015, Mr Marcus Smith, a local resident reported to police that he had seen two men dressed in camouflage clothing and carrying crossbows on his property in Ashbourne. The police spoke to the men who said they were target shooting.

Mr Smith said the shooting and maiming of “Spot’ had distressed the local community: “It makes me angry – such recklessness, irresponsibility and disregard for wildlife and people’s property.”

The brutal maiming and death of Spot has angered animal workers in Victoria, many of whom planned to attend Kyneton Magistrates Court today to send a message that such heinous acts of animal cruelty could not be ‘swept under the carpet’.

The Calleja brothers were scheduled to appear in Kyneton Magistrates Court today but both failed to attend. Warrants were issued for their arrest.