12:00a.m. 20th September 2008

RSPCA Queensland is appealing for public help following the slaughter of a large marine turtle near Deception Bay.

Witnesses say the turtle was taken from a beach on the back of a trolley and the meat was then fed to dogs.

The turtle was described as being so large that its flippers were dragging on the ground while it was being transported. The shell was then cleaned up and moved, the intention allegedly being to sell it on eBay.

“We basically know what happened. We just can’t get anyone who is prepared to make a sworn statement,” RSPCA Qld Inspector Simon Eager said.

RSPCA Qld and Queensland Police are also appealing for anyone who has any information regarding the slaughter of koalas in Kallangur.

“Knowing who committed an offence is one thing. Proving it is something else again,” said RSPCA Qld chief inspector Michael Pecic. “It can be very frustrating.”

RSPCA earlier this month launched a nationwide hunt for a youth beating a kangaroo unconscious, and possibly killing it, as shown on an online video.

The video, which shows the youth using kickboxing-style attacks on the kangaroo as his friend laughs while filming, was sent to the RSPCA in Western Australia.

In one scene the man pulls the kangaroo towards him and uses his knee to deliver a blow to the animal’s chest.

The youth swings his punches into the animal’s face with great force as the animal struggles to remain standing.

The final punch knocks the kangaroo to the ground where it appears to lay unconscious.

It is unclear whether the attack resulted in the death of the animal.

Native wildlife expert Steve McLeod believes the animal was injured, possibly by a car, prior to being attacked.

Mr McLeod said the kangaroo appeared to be very disoriented.

“It is very unusual for a kangaroo to fight like that, as they invariably flee,’’ he said.

“I would hazard a guess that it has been knocked over by the car and injured.

“Certainly it has been stunned in some way.’’

The cruelty of the attack has prompted state RSPCA bodies to launch a nationwide appeal to catch the culprits.

“We are appealing to every media outlet in Australia to help us track down the cowards behind the vicious attack on this kangaroo,’’ RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said.

“Thankfully this sickening footage has now been removed from the website where it was first seen.

“The next stage is to ensure that those responsible for this film are brought to justice.

“Only a coward would attack an injured and obviously terrified young animal much smaller than himself.

“We want these cowards to be caught, charged and prosecuted.’’

The RSPCA has posted pictures of the youth in the film on its websites in Western Australia and Queensland.

Anyone with information can contact RSPCA Qld’s cruelty complaints hotline on 1300 852 188.