PETA OFFERS UP TO $5,000 FOR HELP IN NABBING KANGAROO KILLER IN YANCHEP NATIONAL PARK

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

For Immediate Release:
17 April 2014

Perth – A kangaroo who sustained extensive injuries after being shot with an arrow and run over with a motorcycle last week in Yanchep National Park has died. Another kangaroo was also shot with an arrow last week on the Melville Glades golf course but was successfully treated and released. The perpetrator or perpetrators of these attacks have not been found. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia is 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 about the person or persons responsible for these cruel acts to come forward so that the perpetrators can be punished to the full extent of the law.”

Cruelty to animals carries a penalty of up to $50,000 and five years’ imprisonment under the Animal Welfare Act 2002. Killing or injuring a kangaroo can also be punished with a $4,000 fine under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.

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

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