Elderly Koroit man investigated for alleged cruelty leading to koala’s death

A 67-year-old man from Koroit, Victoria, has been arrested and interviewed following serious allegations of animal cruelty involving a koala that later had to be euthanised due to catastrophic injuries. Witnesses claim the man was seen driving a white ute on King Street, dragging a koala that had been tied to the tow ball with a rope around its neck. Members of the public reportedly discovered the injured animal at Victoria Park and called Wildlife Victoria for help. Rescue worker Debbie O’Grady, who arrived at the scene, described the injuries as ‘just horrific’ and confirmed that the koala was still alive before a volunteer vet from Mosswood Wildlife Centre sedated and humanely euthanised it to end its suffering.

Victoria Police arrested the man in Warrnambool on Thursday and Conservation Regulator officers interviewed him before releasing him pending charges. Authorities have urged anyone with dashcam footage or information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers. Glenn Sharp, regulatory operations manager for Barwon South West, condemned the act as ‘a distressing and senseless act of wildlife cruelty.’ Under Victoria’s Wildlife Act 1975 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, harming protected native wildlife can lead to heavy penalties, including fines of up to $101,000 and a two-year jail term. The investigation continues as authorities seek additional witnesses to the shocking case.