A $5,000 reward has been offered to find the callous killers of a dead kangaroo found wearing a leopard print frock, holding a bottle of Ouzo and tied to a chair by a roadside in Mernda.

The kangaroo was found posed in the chair in Plenty Rd, in Melbourne’s northeast, last month,

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning revealed the kangaroo was brutally shot at least three times with a small calibre firearm.

The DELWP released a photo yesterday calling for information.

“This is appalling and immoral behaviour. The kangaroo had been shot at least three times prior to it being arranged in the chair,” DELWP senior investigator Mike Sverns said.

“It would have taken some time to stage the kangaroo in that position on the side of the road.

“We are certain that someone would have seen something, given the public area and traffic flow of this main road.”

Mating roos stop traffic

It’s understood the shocking scene was reported to authorities on May 17 when a woman spotted the kangaroo on her way to work.

Investigators suspect the kangaroo was killed at a different location before it was brought to the roadside.

Items including discarded masking tape will be forensically tested.

Rare white kangaroo moved from Mernda for own safety

Penalties for killing wildlife range from $7500 to $36,500 or up to 24 months imprisonment, the DELWP says.

Animal welfare activist group PETA has offered a $5,000 reward to bring the killer or killers to justice.

“Animal abusers are cowards”, PETA Australia’s Ashley Fruno says.

“We’re appealing to anyone with information about this cruel act to come forward so that the perpetrators can be put where they belong: in jail.”

Members of the public are encouraged to report this or any other environmental crime by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.