Rugby Star Teams Up With PETA As Group Offers £1000 To Help Name Thugs Who Set Dog On Fire

For Immediate Release:

30 August 2012

Contact:
Ben Williamson 0207 357 9229, ext 229; [email protected] 

Maghaberry, County Antrim – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who set fire to a 3-year-old border collie, leaving her with extensive burns. This despicable act, which took place on Sunday morning, has elicited a reaction from British and Irish Lions rugby star Stephen Ferris, who today repeated his call for people to come forward with information.

“Animal abusers are cowards“, says Ferris. “They take their issues out on the most defenceless beings available to them. Anyone capable of dousing an innocent animal in petrol and setting him on fire also shows a frightening lack of empathy and respect for life. It’s so important that we catch them and prevent future acts of violence. Please contact PETA if you have any information about this case.“

Would you please share this information with your audience to help apprehend those responsible for this cruel act?

PETA is urging residents to keep a watchful eye on their animal companions. Because animals cannot report incidents of abuse against them and can do little to fight back, they are the perfect “practice” victims for those who tend towards violence.

A history of cruelty to animals shows up in the records of violent criminals Mary Bell, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables as well as serial murderers Ian Huntley, Thomas Hamilton (the Dunblane massacre), Fred West, Dennis Nilsen and Ian Brady, all of whom started out by deliberately harming animals.

“It is imperative that any community faced with such horrific animal abuse take measures to find the culprit or culprits and stop the violence“, says PETA spokesperson Mimi Bekhechi. “Animal abusers are a danger to everyone.”

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Lisburn police on 0845 600 8000.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.

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