An investigation has been finalised into allegations that a Mount Gambier City Council worker hit an injured cat on the head with a hammer before disposing of it in a nearby garbage bin.
The allegations were posted on a local social media group with eyewitnesses commenting in agreement.
South East Animal Welfare League Mount Gambier shared the original post commenting “if this is true, it is a horrific act of animal cruelty”.
The claims come as a tripartite agreement between City Council, Grant District Council and the South East Animal Welfare League lapsed in regards to animal pound and re-homing services.
Last week City Council published a statement regarding the matter.
“City of Mount Gambier has completed an investigation into an incident regarding the handling of an injured cat,” the statement said.
“At the time of the incident, council self-reported the matter to RSPCA SA.
“RSPCA SA has provided feedback that will be incorporated within council’s animal handling procedures.
“The matter is now closed.”
Witness Shaun Schembri said he was driving a work truck past Morgan Street across from Melaleuca Park Primary School on August 7 at around 11am when he observed what he believed was an inhumane act.
“When I rang the city (council) they said it was them and they got a call about a cat that has been hit so obviously someone has hit it with a car and that is just how they have dealt with it,” he said.
Mr Schembri said what he saw had left him angry.
“It’s not something you wish to see and being in front of the school and that I was just thinking what if a kid was outside and that was the last thing a kid or anyone should see,” he said.
