Caretakers and staff at a high school in Southern New South Wales have been faced with a grisly scene, arriving at work to find the institute’s resident ducks killed and mutilated.
Students at Murrumburrah High School, in Harden on the New South Wales south-west slopes, had raised the two Saxony ducks as part of the school’s agriculture curriculum.
Principal Dale Rands said he and other staff members were on campus on Thursday for a staff development day and found the ducks beheaded.
“It’s quite devastating [and] when the kids find out they will be horrified,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s one or a dozen, these ducks are raised by the kids.”
Saxony ducks are a placid breed originating from Germany.
“There’s only about 30 of these ducks in Australia, they’re quite rare” Mr Rands said.
“We’ve had a continual lineage of these ducks for many, many years — I don’t know if we’re going to be able to replace their breed”.
Student Evan James, holding one of the ducks that was killed overnight. (Supplied: Murrumburrah High School)
The principal said over the years, the school had given members of the community eggs from the ducks.
“[We’ll] see whether they’ve still got the ducks and whether we can get eggs or ducklings back from them,” he said.
Mr Rands said the school had a 17-hectare farm where students raised all kinds of animals from chickens to cattle.
He said the farm did not have security alarms due to its size, but neighbours reported hearing noises on Wednesday night.
“Apparently Bruce, our goat, was making a big racket last night at the time of the incident — that’s how we know what time it occurred” Mr Rands said.
One of the ducks, pictured with staff member Robert O’Connor. (Supplied: Murrumburrah High School)
‘Horrific act of cruelty’
Hilltops Council Mayor Brian Ingram said the attack was devastating for the community, especially the children who attend the high school.
“Over the years they’ve taken care of [the ducks], fed the ducks and sat there and watched them,” he said
Mr Ingram hoped information was brought forward to find those responsible.
“Front up … let someone in authority know you know something and these people can be held accountable for their actions” he said.
“It is just not acceptable.”
In a statement, Hume Police District Acting Inspector Mark Lake said the incident was deeply disturbing.
“These animals have been subjected to a horrific act of cruelty,” he said.
“It is clear that the ducks were well cared for by the facility and for someone to do this is beyond belief.”
Police are urging anyone with relevant CCTV, dashcam footage or information to contact Young Police or Crime Stoppers.
