The deaths of two dogs that were thrown from a moving vehicle in Werribee have “appalled” the RSPCA.
The black Staffordshire terrier and white Maltese shih-tzu were stolen from the back garden of a house in River Park Court some time after 8pm on April 1.
Investigators believe the dogs were later thrown from the window of a vehicle that was travelling west on Heaths Road about 12.15am last Wednesday.
Leading Senior Constable Kendra Jackson said the dogs were thrown from the vehicle as it approached a roundabout near Purchas Street. Their bodies were found on the road by a witness.
Wyndham detectives are investigating.
Leading Senior Constable Jackson said the vehicle, which was a white four-wheel-drive or van, was travelling fast at the time of the incident.
RSPCA Victoria senior inspector Simon Primrose said the animal welfare organisation was concerned by the incident. “We are appalled by any acts of cruelty against animals, especially those which are deliberate and premeditated.”
Mr Primrose said there had been an 18 per cent increase in animal cruelty complaints this year.
Last March, a Staffordshire terrier was found stabbed to death near Wyndham Park Primary School on Kookaburra Avenue, Werribee.
Its death prompted an investigation by Wyndham council, which was unable to find the dog’s owners.
Anyone found guilty of committing acts of animal cruelty faces fines of up to $71,000 or two years in jail.
» Information to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
