PEOPLE for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Australia is offering up to $1000 as a reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the killing of a goat in Mount Isa on Sunday morning.
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In a statement, PETA said research in psychology and criminology showed that people who committed acts of cruelty to animals often went 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,” the PETA statement read.
“History shows that serial rapists and murderers often have histories of past incidents involving cruelty to animals. ‘‘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.” 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.
PETA Australia campaigns director Jason Baker said that animal abusers were ‘‘cowards’’.
‘‘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 the case is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Mount Isa police on (07) 4744 1111.
