Two men have been charged with multiple firearm and animal cruelty offences alleged to have occurred in the state's Central Tablelands last year.
In August 2020, officers attached to Central West Police District arrested a man – now aged 26 – at Orange in relation to firearm, drug and traffic matters.
As part of an ongoing investigation, the man's mobile phone was seized and examined.
Police will allege it contained footage of kangaroos being shot in the Mullion State Forest, north of Orange, and an act of cruelty upon an injured kangaroo.
Following inquiries, police arrested the 26-year-old man at a Wellington address last Thursday (4 February 2021).
He has now been charged with,
- Torture and cause prolonged suffering to animal
- Commit act of cruelty on animal
- Hunt animal in forestry area
- Possess shortened firearm
- Possess unregistered firearm (two counts)
- Possess unauthorised firearm (two counts)
- Not keep firearm safe (two counts)
- Possess ammunition without licence (two counts)
- Acquire firearm subject to Prohibition Order (two counts), and
- Acquire ammunition subject to Prohibition Order (two counts)
The man appeared before Orange Local Court on Friday (5 February 2021), where he was remanded in custody to appear before the same court on Monday 29 March 2021.
About 10.30am yesterday (Wednesday 10 February 2021), investigators arrested a man, aged 27, at Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with the following offences:
- Torture and cause prolonged suffering to animal
- Commit act of cruelty on animal
- Hunt animal in forestry area (two counts)
- Two counts of acquire firearm subject to Prohibition Order
- Possess shortened firearm
- Possess unauthorised firearm, and
- Possess ammunition without licence.
The man was also charged with police pursuit relating to an outstanding matter.
He remains in custody and will appear before Orange Local Court on Monday 15 February 2021.
