Police in New South Wales, Australia are investigating a horrific incident of animal abuse on the state's far south coast.
Authorities were called about a number of dead kangaroo carcasses on the side of the road in Merimbula.
Now, while it's not uncommon for drivers to see the bodies of dead animals while traversing across Australia, the number found was enough to warrant suspicion that foul play was at hand in this incident.
New South Wales Police has released a statement, saying: "About 10.15am yesterday (Sunday 29 September 2019), police were called to Dress Circle and Headland Drive, Tura Beach after reports of dead kangaroos on the road.
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"Police believe that up to 20 kangaroos may have been run over by a vehicle between 10.30pm and 11.30pm on Saturday (28 September 2019).
"Detectives attached to South Coast Police District are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"Police are appealing for anyone who may have information that could assist the investigation to contact Bega Detectives on (02) 6492 9929 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."
Veteran WIRES volunteer Janine Green came across the crime scene, telling 7News.com.au: "Until you see it you can't grasp the reality of it. People were just horrified, and when we took the bodies away, seeing them on the back of the ute was heartbreaking.
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"I have never seen anything like it ... 20 kangaroos is a large amount and to hit that number must have done real damage to the vehicle.
The penalty for a crime like this can be pretty severe. A South Australian bloke was sentenced to more than a month behind bars earlier this year after he mowed down a mob of emus with his ute.
Jacob MacDonald uploaded a video of him plowing through the animals near the Victorian-South Australia border and it didn't take too long for the clip to go viral on social media.
Police began an investigation and eventually charged him last year with several offences including including aggravated cruelty to animals.
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The 20-year-old ended up killing 10 emus during his rampage, which saw him get up to speeds of 120km/h, and has since been sentenced to 42 days in jail.
Magistrate Michael King didn't hold back during the sentencing hearing, saying to MacDonald: "You received pleasure from inflicting pain on defenceless animals."
When interviewed by Channel 7 last year, the young man said he was prepared to be locked up for his crimes.
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"If that's what I get, that's what I get," Mr MacDonald said. "It was a mistake it was a silly idea. It's not funny anymore, it was at the time. The biggest stuff up of my life. I'm not proud of it."
MacDonald, during an interview with the Daily Mail, said that emus do untold damage to the local agriculture and blamed a relationship breakdown for his dumb decisions at the time.
He said the drought has only exacerbated the situation and the reason the emus are on the road is because they're looking for food.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: News, Animals, Australia