By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
POSSUMS bleeding from the mouth with wounds similar to bullet holes are not an uncommon sight in Casey.
Senior investigator at Animal Cruelty Hotline Australia and Casey resident Barrie Tapp said in the past three months reports of poisoning and shooting possums to death have increased throughout the region.
“We were even notified of a possum found with its head cut off in Devon Meadows and these are defenceless animals that have been living in the area their whole lives.
“As Casey’s population grows they are being pushed out in shocking ways,” Mr Tapp said.
A Devon Meadows family has seen the brutality through their own back fence telling Star News “it’s very distressing.”
The family, which wishes to remain anonymous, said injured possums often crawl into their garage for shelter.
“When we find them they aren’t dead they are slowly dying with blood coming out of their mouths and wounds on their legs and abdomen. It’s a horrible thing to see,” the mother said.
The family who feed the possums that live in and around their own home said they have embraced the animals even making homes for them.
“We feed them and they’ve never destroyed our garden – yes they run across the roof but that’s a part of living out here.”
Mr Tapp said because spring is peak breeding season “it is the perfect time to remind people of the consequences for such barbaric animal cruelty”.
From September to November this year firearms, rabbit traps and rat poison have proved popular forms of killing the Australian native in the City of Casey.
“Possums may well be causing problems in and around your home but there are better and humane ways to deal with the problem,” he said.
“Instead of killing them, which is illegal and carries very heavy fines of up to $75,000 and even jail time, people need to accept the fact that possums need a home and can be relocated only by licenced carers.”
Anyone who is aware of animal cruelty can make an anonymous call to the Animal Cruelty Hotline Australia on 1800 751 770.
