PETA OFFERS UP TO $5,000 TO CATCH BIRD POISONER IN MOUNT COTTON AREA

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

For Immediate Release:
11 March 2014

Brisbane – At least 30 magpies have been deliberately poisoned in the Mount Cotton area in the last few days. The birds were found at a park off Orchard Drive. Pelican and Seabird Rescue took five very distressed birds to the RSPCA for treatment on Monday, but all died. The spate of poisonings parallels similar cases a year ago in the Cleveland area. 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 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 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 about 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 this case is encouraged to call the RSPCA Cruelty Line on 1300 264 625.

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

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