Animals Are Not Ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment or abuse in any other way.

PETA Australia
  • Action Centre
  • Campaigns
  • Living
  • News
  • About
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
  • Action Centre
  • Campaigns
  • Living
  • News
  • About
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
PETA Australia
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
PETA Search Icon
REWARD: Help Catch Melbourne Magpie Abuser
Nigel's Wildlife Rescue

REWARD: Help Catch Melbourne Magpie Abuser

News / REWARD: Help Catch Melbourne Magpie Abuser

Around nine native birds have been found with plastic “collars” illegally affixed to their necks in the Wantirna area, east of Melbourne.

Collared Raven

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is investigating the case and working with Wildlife Victoria volunteers to help remove the collars from the birds.

Locals told a wildlife rescuer that one magpie had been sighted with a pink collar on for at least four months. It took 21 hours for the rescuer to capture the bird, and it appeared that the collar was made with three individual pieces of plastic, perhaps from a children’s tea set.

PETA Australia is offering up to $5,000 as a reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this disturbing crime.

Because animals cannot report abuse and can do little to fight back, they’re often used as “practice” victims by those who tend towards violence.

Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals often go on to commit violent acts against their fellow humans. As long as the perpetrator of this crime is at large, other animals – including humans – might also be in danger.

Only 1 per cent of cruelty-to-animals offenders have no other convictions at all.

The world’s most notorious serial killers – including Jeffrey Dahmer, Dennis Rader, and Albert DeSalvo, better known as the Boston Strangler – have long documented histories of harming animals. In Australia, murderers such as Paul Denyer, John Travers, and Ivan Milat tortured and killed animals before turning to human victims.


Cruelty to animals in Victoria carries a penalty of up to $74,620 or two years’ imprisonment under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.


Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Help Animals in 2025: Renew Your PETA Membership!

Donate Now

Recent Press Hits

  • Gradient background with a white rabbit silhouette and the text ‘PETA.’
    Calling on the Brisbane Broncos to Retire Buck and Renounce Rodeos
  • a baby and adult fox
    © Jeremy Hynes / Unsplash
    Australian Fashion Week Bans Wild-Animal Skins, Furs and Wild Feathers 
  • Gradient background with a white rabbit silhouette and the text ‘PETA.’
    Eurovision: Cheer On Australia’s “Milkshake Man” with Dairy-Free Treats 

Get PETA Updates

Sign me up for the following e-mail:
Our collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal information is guided by the Privacy Act and the Australian Privacy Principles. More information about our privacy policies and practices is available in our privacy policy. That policy also details how you may access, seek correction of and pursue complaints regarding the personal information we hold about you. If you have any queries about these procedures or any aspect of our work, please contact us on (08) 8556 5828 or at [email protected] or write to us at PO Box 20308, World Square, Sydney NSW 2002. Current subscribers: You will continue to receive e-mails unless you explicitly opt out here.
PETA Fist Logo

Connect with PETA

  • Facebook Icon, PETA International
  • Instagram Icon, PETA International
  • Youtube Icon, PETA International

PETA International Logo

Mailing address:
PO Box 20308 World Square Sydney NSW 2002 ACN – 128209923

Info

  • Contact Us
  • Media Centre
  • Careers
  • Donate Now
  • Subscribe to E-News
  • Bequests

Services

  • Accessibility
  • Site Map
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • © 2025 PETA Australia Pty Ltd. Read our full policy.

International Sites

  • PETA US
  • PETA France
  • PETA Netherlands
  • PETA Germany
  • PETA India
  • PETA UK
  • PETA Asia
  • 亚洲善待动物组织
  • PETA Latino

PETA acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to elders past and present and extend that respect to all other indigenous peoples.

Registered address: PETA Australia Pty Ltd, 219 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville. SA, 5031