bk_blue Posted July 2, 2004 Posted July 2, 2004 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/01/1088488091449.html?from=moreStories Six soldiers sacked yesterday for torturing and killing a litter of kittens had brought shame and discredit on the Australian Defence Force, an army spokesman said. Their behaviour at an Easter Saturday drinking session at a Townsville barracks was well below expected standards, he said. The RSPCA welcomed the decision. It had delivered justice for the kittens, a spokesman said. The soldiers are able to appeal against the decision. Their discharge will be suspended until the appeal is dealt with. Their treatment of four stray kittens at the Lavarack Barracks prompted nationwide outrage. One kitten was dragged on a rope behind a motorcycle, then crushed under the tyre of a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Three others were doused with fuel and set alight. RSPCA national president Hugh Wirth said the organisation now had a measure of satisfaction that proper justice had been delivered for the kittens. "This was an appallingly barbaric act by those soldiers and the army is quite correct in that there's no place for such humans in the proud Australian army," he said. "The link between humans being cruel to animals and humans being cruel to humans is direct and obvious." RSPCA Queensland chief executive officer Mark Townend said the decision to discharge the soldiers was a strong signal to Australians that animal cruelty was unacceptable. "Normal people don't torture helpless little animals for over an hour," he said. "They tortured young innocent kittens for no reason whatsoever, but for pleasure." On May 10 in the Townsville Magistrates Court the soldiers pleaded guilty to animal cruelty. They were fined $2000 each, but did not have convictions recorded. Queensland police last month appealed against the sentences on the ground that the fines were inadequate. The army's decision to discharge the soldiers follows a review of their formal responses to termination notices. - AAP Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted July 2, 2004 Posted July 2, 2004 Wow! I'm glad that they got such stiff punishments. Here that wouldn't have happened they would have been slapped on the wrist and sent about their way. Quote
cheekymunkee Posted July 2, 2004 Posted July 2, 2004 Tammy is right!! Glad to see SOME governments see animal abuse as a HUGE problem & are willing to punish approprately! Debby Quote
imported_Kat Posted July 2, 2004 Posted July 2, 2004 At least there is some justice in the world. This is as good as result as we could hope for the kitties. Quote
izzy Posted July 2, 2004 Posted July 2, 2004 It's good to know they were punished, what a bunch of idiots. Quote
Smooshie Posted July 2, 2004 Posted July 2, 2004 :evil:...what is WRONG with people?????....at least the monsters were punished... Quote
courtnek Posted July 2, 2004 Posted July 2, 2004 good for the australian army!! I wouldnt want those "soldiers" in my ranks. soldiers are supposed to protect, not inhumanely and cruelly abuse. Quote
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