PETA OFFERS UP TO $15,000 TO CATCH ANIMAL ABUSERS IN DECEPTION BAY AREA

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

For Immediate Release:
17 February 2014

Brisbane – At least three animals have been viciously attacked in the Deception Bay area in the last few days. A horse named Susie, who had been teaching disabled people to ride, was discovered shot through the heart on Wednesday. A few days earlier, a dog was found tied to a tree in Deception Bay with her throat slit, and a kangaroo was found shot with an arrow in Toorbul. The perpetrator or perpetrators of these attacks have not been found. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia is offering $5,000 as a reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each 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 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.”

Cruelty to animals carries a penalty of up to $220,000 or three years’ imprisonment under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. Anyone with information about these cases is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the RSPCA Cruelty Line on 1300 ANIMAL.

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

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