PETA OFFERS UP TO $5,000 REWARD TO CATCH WOMBAT KILLER

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

For Immediate Release:
22 September 2015

Nowra – Ten wombats were found dead at the Bendeela Campground in Kangaroo Valley this past weekend. The animals had apparently been deliberately run over. Wildlife carers found one unharmed orphaned joey, who is now being cared for, but they are still searching for others, as four of the dead were nursing mothers. Witnesses saw a white four-wheel-drive vehicle driving through the area on Friday night and early Saturday morning, apparently aiming for the animals.

Police said that the number of dead wombats suggested a deliberate killing, as corpses were found scattered at 50- to 200-metre intervals. However, no suspects have yet been identified. That’s why People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and conviction of those responsible for this cruel act.

Because animals can’t report their own abuse and can do little to fight back, they’re the perfect “practice” victims for those who tend towards violence.

Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty against animals often go on to commit violent acts against 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.

“It’s imperative that any community faced with a violent act such as running down these wombats take measures to find the culprit or culprits and bring them to justice”, says PETA Australia Director of Campaigns Jason Baker. “Animal abusers are a danger to everyone – they take their issues out on whoever is available to them, human or non-human, and must be caught before they act again. We’re appealing to anyone with information about those responsible for this cruel act to come forward now so that the perpetrator or perpetrators can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Cruelty to animals carries a penalty of more than $20,000 or five years imprisonment under theCrimes Act 1900 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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

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