PETA OFFERS $5,000 TO CATCH PERSON WHO STOMPED 40 RABBITS TO DEATH ON NEW YEAR’S DAY

Group Hopes to Bring Culprit Responsible for Animal Abuse to Justice

For Immediate Release:
3 January 2014

Melbourne – Forty rabbits were discovered dead by their horrified owner near the Gippsland town of Garfield on New Year’s Day. The woman went into the shed on the Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry Road farm at about 3 am and made the shocking discovery. Many of the rabbits were still warm, leading police to believe the incident occurred sometime after midnight.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia is offering up to $5,000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this horrific crime.

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 this crime are at large, other animals – and human residents – 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 as well as 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. “They take their issues out on the most defenceless beings available to them.”

Cruelty to animals carries a penalty of up to $100,000 or two years’ imprisonment under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the RSPCA on 1300 264 625.

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

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