Koala Dies After Alleged Dragging Behind Vehicle on Victorian Street

Authorities are investigating after a koala was allegedly tied with a rope and dragged behind a vehicle along a street in south-west Victoria, leaving the animal with severe injuries that later led to euthanasia.

The incident in the small town of Koroit, near Warrnambool, has triggered a public appeal for witnesses and any available footage. Readers are advised that the report contains a graphic description of animal injuries.

Mosswood Wildlife administration and volunteer manager Colleen Edwards said a volunteer carer was called to King Street on Wednesday shortly after 5pm.

Ms Edwards said the volunteer reported that a rope had been tied around the koala’s neck and attached to a vehicle’s tow ball, after which the animal was dragged along the road.

The volunteer later returned through the same street and noted clear signs the koala had been dragged a significant distance, with visible blood and fur along the roadway.

“There was blood and fur along the road where it got dragged,” she said.

The koala was later located at Victoria Park Oval, where it was retrieved and taken to the rescue facility around 6pm.

“When it got to us, it was gurgling blood and had deep abrasions over much of its body,” Ms Edwards said.

“The whole jaw was smashed to smithereens — there were so many fractures throughout the skull that it was extremely distressing for us.”

Ms Edwards said there was no chance of rehabilitation and the koala had to be euthanised by a volunteer vet.

She said it was one of the worst cases she had responded to as a volunteer carer.

“I definitely have a lot less faith in humanity,” Ms Edwards said.
“It wasn’t an accident. It was a choice, and a brazen one, at five o’clock in the evening down a residential street.

“Just think of the people who had to see that, and I can’t imagine what was going through the guy’s mind to do that.”

She said the incident had been reported and she called on any witnesses or anyone with footage to contact the police.

Conservation Regulator operations director Cal Heppell said together with Victoria Police, it was investigating the reports of a koala being dragged by a vehicle in Koroit.

An RSPCA Victoria spokesperson said it was deeply concerned by the reports and encouraged any witnesses to contact the Conservation Regulator.