An out-of-control kangaroo population in rural Victoria has left some residents cowering in their homes, a National Party MP said today.
Posted on 04/15/2003 11:39:57 AM PDT by yankeedame
Rampant roos terrorise towns
April 11, 2003
Noel Maughan, member for the seat of Rodney in central Victoria, said he had been lobbying the Victorian Government to redress the problem for months to no avail.
He said large numbers of kangaroos, who were stressed and starving because of the drought, had caused countless car accidents and had frightened locals.
"There's an anecdote of a kangaroo attacking and killing a dog," Mr Maughan told AAP.
"And clearly children that go out on their own are at risk of being attacked."
Mr Maughan wrote to Environment Minister John Thwaites about the issue in February describing a local woman who was "living in fear" as about 40 kangaroos invaded her garden each night prompting the security light to constantly go on and off.
"I am advised that they attacked and killed a dog recently and they will attack children and so there is a real fear of going out after dark," he wrote.
Resident Arnold Lovell said he was distressed by a large number of kangaroos on his 10 acre property and supported Mr Maughan's call for a cull.
Mr Lovell, a retiree, said an ambulance he called to his home just weeks after having heart surgery had been blocked by about 30 kangaroos in his driveway.
While the ambulance was eventually able to ferry Mr Lovell, it had been delayed in potentially life-threatening circumstances.
"I need this property cleared (of kangaroos) because I don't know when I'm going to need an ambulance in a hurry," he said.
Mr Lovell said the kangaroos had come into Heathcote and surrounding towns, desperate for any bit of greenery they could find.
He said he had been forced to hide in his shed when a two metre kangaroo menaced him as he was about to feed his cow.
Meanwhile, Mr Maughan said the government's relaxation of the rules last year which enabled farmers to fast track permits allowing them to shoot kangaroos had not helped.
"If that's all the government can do, it certainly hasn't had any effect on the people," he told AAP.
A spokesman for the RACV said the insurance company paid out about $4 million a year in compensation for car accidents caused by kangaroos.
A spokeswoman for Mr Thwaites was not immediately able to comment.
Agence France-Presse
Eh? I don't see any Møøse problem.
The government will just create the Roo Police at an immense cost to the citizens in lieu of allowing them to have guns. Simply call the Roo Police, they will protect you, wait 30 days for them to show up, fill out lots of forms, pay for a permit, wait for approval, wait for the Roo Police to return to take care of the problem. By then the Roo will have moved on or died of old age.
These kangaroos present no threat to anyone. They are the ones cowering in fear. I have personally cut the ears off of one and we will hobble the rest of them soon. They will make a fine stew.
Try the Holy Hand Grenade, Quick... :)
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LOL!!!!
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