Tasmania Police investigating cruelty complaint

Tasmania Police has confirmed that it is investigating the appalling video circulating on social media depicting a chainsaw being used to shear a clearly distressed lamb.

Following a formal report made at the Oatlands Police Station, the people involved have been identified and Tasmania Police will be pressing charges. RSPCA Inspectors are assisting in this investigation.

Over recent times, we have seen an increasingly troubling trend of videos or images of cruelty to animals being shared through social media.

We would like to remind the community that everyone has a responsibility to report any cruelty or inappropriate behaviour when they see it – and that it is imperative that reports are made as soon as an issue comes to light. We need your help to identify people who do the wrong thing and to ensure they are held to account for their actions.

That can only happen if members of the public demonstrate their commitment to animal welfare by following the proper process and alerting authorities. Animal cruelty reports can be made to the RSPCA Animal Cruelty Hotline on 1300 139 947, by email to reportit@rspcatas.org.au, or through our website.