The ducks were bred and raised on the 16-acre farm at Murrumburrah High School as part of an extensive agricultural education program. Photo: Murrumburrah High School.
Police are investigating a shocking case of animal cruelty after two ducks were found mutilated and killed on the grounds of Murrumburrah High School in the Hilltops town of Harden.
Officers from The Hume Police District responded to the incident on Thursday morning (19 December) after receiving reports about the torture and deaths of the ducks, identified as Saxony breed and owned by the school.
Saxony ducks are a docile and gentle breed originating from Germany and were part of the school’s agriculture curriculum program which includes a Farm Club component.
School principal Dale Rands told Region the ducks were raised from eggs at the school, making the loss all the more significant.
“Given the nature of our location in rural NSW, we have a very large 16-acre school farm. We breed and raise all the animals here at the school; we show them at local shows, so all the students are involved,” he said. “As is the larger town community who have, at times, benefited from the bounty of eggs the ducks have produced over the years.
“The police are not taking this incident lightly,” he said.
Police said the animals had been kept in a secured enclosure on the facility’s property.
According to authorities, the incident occurred between 6 pm on Wednesday, 18 December, and 8:30 am on Thursday. Wednesday marked the final day of the school year for students, with teachers returning Thursday and Friday for staff development days.
Murrumburrah High School said the incident followed repeated recent incidents of damage to its sprinkler system at night.
Mr Rands said people were accessing the school grounds illegally at night and kicking the sprinkler heads in as they popped up to water the grounds.
“Youths in hoodies have also been spotted on the grounds setting off bungers at night,” he said. “All of that information has been passed onto police.”
Acting Inspector Mark Lake of The Hume Police District condemned the act as “deeply disturbing”.
“These animals have been subjected to a horrific act of cruelty,” Inspector Lake said. “It is clear that the ducks were well cared for by the facility, and for someone to do this is beyond belief.”
Investigations into the matter are ongoing and police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Authorities are particularly interested in dashcam or mobile phone footage from individuals who were in the area during the specified time frame.
They told Region they’re also following up today with neighbourhood doornocks and appeals for anyone with CCTV footage to contact them.
Community members are encouraged to contact Young Police Station on 6382 8199, Harden Murrumburrah Police Station on 6381 3720 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information can be provided anonymously.
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