Swan Decapitation Prompts PETA To Offer Gbp 1,000 To Help Nab Yobs Responsible
For Immediate Release:
21 July 2011
Contact:
Sandra Smiley +44 (0)207 357 9229, ext 229; [email protected]
Basildon, Essex – PETA is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the decapitation of a Northlands Park swan. According to news reports, dog-walkers found the male swan’s mutilated cadaver on the morning of Saturday, 25 June. His head and neck were missing, and there were bite marks, deemed likely to be those of a large dog, on the corpse. Young people with their dogs were spotted in the park on the evening of Friday, 24 June. The swan’s female mate, who had been lingering at the site where the male swan was killed, has since been moved from the area after the RSPCA received a number of complaints about young people who were throwing stones at her.
PETA is especially concerned by the number of recent incidents of abuse to animals in the area. In May, a gray rabbit who was suffering from a serious injury was dumped outside a Clacton pet shop, and last month, a cat had to have his leg removed in Braintree after being caught in an illegal snare trap. Earlier this year, PETA responded to a case in Alresford in which a dog was killed after having his head dipped in acid.
Would you please share this information with your audience in order to help apprehend the person or persons responsible for this heinous act?
“Anyone capable of deliberately inflicting pain and suffering on a defenceless animal demonstrates a worrying psychological state”, says PETA spokesperson Sandra Smiley. “Animals are often practice victims for people with violent tendencies, so it’s important for the safety of the whole community, which includes both human and non-human animals, that the person or persons responsible be found.”
According to law enforcement agencies and leading mental-health professionals, perpetrators of violent and callous acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to all animals – including humans. Serial rapists and murderers often have a history of cruelty to animals. Violent criminal Steven Barker; young killers Mary Bell, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables and serial murderers Ian Huntley, Thomas Hamilton (Dunblane massacre), Fred West and Ian Brady started on their violent paths by deliberately harming animals. Raoul Moat, the gunman responsible for shooting his ex-girlfriend and killing her new partner and later himself, reportedly had a history of abusing animals.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the RSPCA* cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.
*The RSPCA is not connected with the award or the administration of the award.