A 24-year-old man from Kaleen has faced court for two incidents of aggravated animal cruelty.

In June 2024, ACT Policing’s Rural Patrol team received a referral from NSW Police Rural Crime investigators in relation to two videos of the 24-year-old man allegedly committing animal cruelty offences.

As a result of this referral ACT Policing commenced a joint investigation with ACT Parks and Conservation into the two incidents that were allegedly committed in April 2024.

In both incidents, the man allegedly recorded himself while driving a 4WD vehicle on the Kings Highway in Kowen. The first video depicts the man crossing to the incorrect side of the road and colliding with a kangaroo. The second video depicts the man driving in the breakdown lane and onto the grass verge, colliding with a kangaroo grazing near the roadway.

Police allege both incidents were deliberate acts.