PETA OFFER UP TO $5,000 TO CATCH KANGAROO KILLER IN MELBOURNE AREA

Group Hope to Bring Person or Persons Responsible for Appalling Cruelty to Justice

For Immediate Release:
4 March 2015

Melbourne – At least 13 kangaroos have been viciously slaughtered in the northeast metropolitan area of Melbourne in the last few weeks, all shot with crossbow arrows. Eleven dead kangaroos were found in rubbish bins in Warrandyte, and another, whose head had been removed, was found dumped in Wonga Park. Wildlife Victoria volunteers, who were looking for a kangaroo who had been seen with an arrow through his head, came across another one shot through the neck – both she and her joey had to be euthanised. The perpetrator or perpetrators of these attacks have not been found. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia are offering up to $5,000 as a reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these horrific crimes.

Because animals cannot report their own abuse and can do little to fight back, they are the perfect “practice” victims for 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 perpetrators of these crimes are at large, other animals – including humans – might also be in danger. History shows that serial rapists and murderers often have histories of past incidents involving cruelty to animals. Young killers Mary Bell, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables; John Travers (the ringleader of the gang that raped and killed Anita Cobby) and serial murderers Fred West, Dennis Nilsen, Ian Brady and Jeffrey Dahmer all started out by deliberately harming animals.

“Animal abusers are cowards”, says PETA Australia Director of Campaigns Jason Baker. “We’re appealing to anyone with information on the person or persons responsible for these cruel acts to come forward so that the perpetrators can be put where they belong: in jail.”

Aggravated cruelty to animals carries a penalty of more than $72,000 or two years’ imprisonment under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986. Anyone with information about these cases is encouraged to call Wildlife Victoria on 1300 094 535.

For more information about cruelty to animals, please visit PETA.org.au.

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