NSW Police say officers will soon be knocking on the door of the person responsible for an act of animal cruelty in the state’s Illawarra region.
Investigators are searching for the owner of the Australian Bulldog after he was found at the base of a cliff at Mount Ousley on Sunday morning.
The grim discovery
A man who was bushwalking near Clive Bissell Drive made the discovery after hearing a dog yelp.
He then located an upside-down kennel, which contained the severely injured dog.
Police believe the dog – who appeared to also be in poor health and emaciated – was thrown from the cliff in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Officers from Wollongong Police District, Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, and SES volunteers retrieved the dog, but sadly his injuries were too severe, and he was put to sleep by a local vet.
The police investigation
“We expect some success along that journey and when we have success, we will be knocking on that person’s door” NSW Police
Police, who are working with RSPCA NSW, believe the kennel was thrown from the cliff in the early hours of Sunday morning.
NSW Police Force’s Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter, said the dog’s death was a really sad outcome for the community.
“The dog was provided all the care he could be given, but unfortunately the prognosis meant that he had to be euthanised,” A/C Cotter said, adding the focus for police now is identifying him and finding those responsible.
“We’ve recovered the kennel and inquiries are ongoing to try to identify who the dog is and who he belonged to.
“The kennel has been obtained by police and we are hoping for forensic evidence from that.
“We expect some success along that journey and when we have success, we will be knocking on that person’s door,” Assistant Commissioner Cotter said.
Appeal for community assistance
As the investigation continues, police are urging members of the local community to come forward with any information.
“We request members of the public in the local neighbourhood where there used to be a dog, but now there isn’t, to come forward.”
Investigators are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area, or anyone with a dashcam that drove through the area this morning and might have footage that can assist, to contact local police or Crime Stoppers.
If you’ve witnessed animal cruelty, call your local police or contact the RSPCA NSW.