PETA OFFERS UP TO $1,000 TO CATCH ANIMAL ABUSERS IN MOUNT ISA

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

For Immediate Release:
11 November 2014

Mount Isa – A friendly goat was shot to death with an arrow in Mount Isa on Sunday morning. The billy goat’s body was found by Pat McHugh, the owner of the horse paddocks where the goat lived with two nannies and four kids, all of whom are now too traumatised to return to the pen where they were housed. A number of dead kangaroos found around the paddocks recently may have also been killed with arrows. The perpetrator or perpetrators of this attack have not yet been found. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia is offering up to $1,000 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. Mr McHugh’s wife, Gordy, said the heartless killing was senseless and was concerned about what the killer might progress to next. “What if this isn’t good enough, they might start on people next”, she said.

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 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 this cruel act to come forward so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.”

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 Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Mount Isa police on (07) 4744 1111.

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

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