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proudly serving Melton and Moorabool
25 APRIL, 2023
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Youth are on track A funding boost of almost $50,000 has given a Melton youth mentoring program that supports teens to get active through bike riding the opportunity to expand. Edmund Rice Community Services On Track sessions use mountain bike activities including riding, bike maintenance and building, track and obstacle building to deliver a program focused on social wellbeing, and physical health to support teens. The program, which began last year in school terms one and four, has received $49,000 from VicHealth’s JumpStart! fund, which will allow the program to be delivered every term during 2023. The free program runs every Thursday of the school term from 4pm to 6pm from the community centre on Greigs Road, Truganina, and is currently welcoming more teens to join. The program provides all bicycles and equipment, and operates on 15kms of trails for kids to explore. Edmund Rice Community Services recreations co-ordinator Michael Naismith the program is “open for teens that are keen to learn more about mountain bike riding, and you don’t have to be an expert when you get started.” Details: 0466 597 145 Recreation co-ordinator Michael Naismith and recreation assistant Andrew Landsdell. (Damjan Janevski) 330003_02
Melton cockfighting raid More than 200 “mutilated” roosters, allegedly kept for illegal cockfighting, were seized from a Melton property on Friday, April 14. RSPCA Victoria’s major investigations team received a confidential tip-off from a member of the community last week about an illegal cockfighting event at the property. A warrant was executed on Friday morning as part of an investigation into a suspected cockfighting ring. According to the RSPCA, many of the roosters were found in poor health. They were found in unsanitary, confined conditions and
did not have access to water. Roosters had also been allegedly mutilated by having their wattle and comb removed, a practice consistent with the purpose of cockfighting. Multiple RSPCA Victoria staff were involved in assessing the birds including six RSPCA Inspectors and two veterinarians. RSPCA Victoria major investigations inspectorate team leader Lisa Calleja said cockfighting is an “abhorrent and inherently cruel activity” that leads to the “severe suffering of the roosters used in this bloodsport”.
“The roosters at this location were highly aggressive, and many were kept in cages without access to food or water,” she said. “The results from today represent a significant disruption to an alleged illegal animal fighting ring. Our investigations from today are ongoing, and we will continue to identify, pursue and prosecute people who breach animal welfare laws in Victoria and whose actions cause harm or suffering to animals. “This investigation was initiated in response to a tip-off from the community that resulted
in the execution of a search warrant under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 on Friday morning.” Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, it is an offence to wound, mutilate, torture, abuse, beat, worry, torment or terrify an animal. It is also an offence for a person to keep, use or assist in the management of premises for the purpose of causing an animal to fight or for the baiting or maltreating of an animal. Offences under the act carry a penalty of up to $92,460 in fines or imprisonment for two years.
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