A WILDLIFE expert says she is shocked by reports of a kangaroo tortured to death by teens, saying more young people seem to be involved in cruelty cases than five years ago.

Three Year 8 Torquay students are suspected of killing a kangaroo with a metal pole while on a school camp in in the Great Otway National Park last week.

The Torquay College students have been suspended pending a police investigation, the Geelong Advertiser reports.

Wildlife Victoria CEO Sandy Fernee said she was shocked anyone could bash a kangaroo to death.

"We’re hearing about more young people being involved in cruelty to animal cases than we were hearing about five years ago,’’ Ms Fernee said.



"I would hope that it’s not happening more and instead we’re having more people saying, 'Hey, that’s just not acceptable’ and reporting it.

"I’m shocked that our society doesn’t teach our children better and that a (teenager) can get to that age without having a better understanding of what and what isn’t acceptable.’’

RSPCA chief inspector Greg Boland said deliberate acts of animal cruelty carried the maximum penalty of two years jail or up to $28,000 in fines.

"We are very concerned about any situation that involves animal cruelty. With animal cruelty of this magnitude it is a real concern,’’ he said.

"Certainly some form of serious intervention needs to take place."

Mr Boland said the alleged incident constituted aggravated cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

"The RSPCA considers this (incident) is at the higher end of the spectrum of animal cruelty,'' Mr Boland said.

"This is a concern to the RSPCA and must be a concern to society as well and that's why there's got to be some intervention in relation to these juveniles so that this behaviour is not repeated in any way.''

A police spokeswoman said one student had been cautioned while the other two were yet to be dealt with over the alleged September 8 incident.

School principal Pam Kinsman said she was personally distressed and disappointed by the alleged attack.

"It's very distressing as a principal,'' Ms Kinsman said.

She said the three students were immediately suspended after a teacher reported the alleged incident last Thursday.

Ms Kinsman said whatever the outcome of the police investigation, which is ongoing, the school would seek advice from the RSPCA and police before addressing the incident with students and parents.

Expulsion and community work were among the penalties being considered, Ms Kinsman said.

"Obviously expulsion is one of the options but there are many others we are considering, including for the boys to do community work,'' she said.

Ms Kinsman said staff at the camp offered to run an environmental project with the students.

"We are taking the matter extremely seriously, we are co-operating with police,'' Ms Kinsman said.

"If it's found they did the wrong thing the community is going to be deeply upset.

"This is a school with high standards of respect for each other and the environment.''

Ms Kinsman said she had full confidence in the college's staff.

The RSPCA had an anonymous tip-off alleging cruelty to the kangaroo sparking the investigation.

A Torquay mum, who has a child at the school, yesterday said if the allegations of cruelty were proved to be true, the children should be jailed.

Originally published as School students 'kill roo on school camp'