The RSPCA has launched an investigation into allegations of animal cruelty following the death of a two-day-old duckling at a Launceston hotel on Saturday night.
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A duckling was found headless at the Star Bar Hotel on Saturday.
RSPCA chief inspector Ray Kroeze conducted a visual inspection of the duckling after collecting it from a wildlife carer on Monday.
“Obviously the head is removed,” he said.
Mr Kroeze said he was unable to confirm anymore details about the duckling until a post-mortem was completed by the pathologists.
RSPCA Tasmania chief executive Peter West said a number of witnesses had filed complaints.
“There will be some time needed to talk to the witness and the key people involved,” he said.
“Even if it doesn’t go to a court of law our investigation has to be as if it did go.
“It has been made more difficult by the social media buy-ins, who have no relation to this matter.”
Mr Kroeze said he was in discussion with Wildlife Management to determine who will proceed with investigations as although the RSPCA investigates 100 per cent of complaints, it predominately focuses on domestic animals.
If the duckling’s death is ruled as suspicious, further inquiries will be conducted with the people present at the time of the incident.
Mr West said the challenge for the RSPCA will be to “sift through the facts”.
The chief inspector said he was waiting for some more information to be provided by police.
“We would rather get the information first-hand, rather than speculating what has been put out there on social media because some of it undoubtedly is inaccurate but some of it would be accurate,” Mr Kroeze said.
“There may have been some CCTV footage as well and if there is we are hoping to get hold of that,” he said.
Star Bar Hotel proprietor Mick Acquarola was contacted for comment on Sunday and Monday.
In a statement published on the restaurants website on Sunday night, Mr Acquarola said the incident was an “accident” and had upset “a lot of innocent people”.
“We are extremely sorry [for] this very unfortunate incident,” the statement said.
“My staff and I are emotionally upset with the abuse we have received on social media, and people calling and leaving abusive messages.”
Mr Acquarola thanked patrons who dined at the Star Bar Hotel on Sunday, and to those who contacted him to offer support.
