Man fined for blowing up dead echidna

A New South Wales man who blew up a dead echidna with fireworks at the weekend has been fined $1,000.

Police say the 31-year-old was fined for negligently handling explosives because the echidna was already dead and cruelty towards the animal could not be established.

Initially officers thought the animal had been killed by the explosion.
 
The echidna's remains were found in a backyard at Woonona, north of Wollongong, on Saturday after reports of a loud explosion.

The RSPCA's Chief Inspector David O'Shannessy says it is still a disturbing act.
"It does change it from the perspective that, if the animal was dead when the acts were committed, then the person wouldn't necessarily commit and act of cruelty or an act of aggravated cruelty on the animal," he said.
"But I guess it's still quite concerning."