PETA OFFERS UP TO $1,000 TO CATCH ANIMAL ABUSER IN FRASER COAST REGION

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

For Immediate Release:
13 January 2015

Brisbane – A dog was found this week tied to a tree and left to die on the side of the Isis Highway, southwest of Childers. The female German shepherd apparently died of starvation after being restrained outside in temperatures in the mid-30s for about a week. The RSPCA animal shelter, where the dog might have found a new home, is only about half an hour away in Bundaberg. The perpetrator or perpetrators of this abuse have not yet been found. The man who discovered the dog’s body is offering a $1,000 reward, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia is offering another $1,000 as a reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this horrific crime.

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 perpetrator of this crime is 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 about the person or persons responsible for this cruel act to come forward so that the perpetrators can be put where they belong: in jail.”

Cruelty to animals carries a penalty of more than $225,000 or three years’ imprisonment under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the RSPCA on 1300 852 188 and mention job number 437957.

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

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