Drinker who ripped the head off Kevin the kookaburra because he ate one of his chips could be LET OFF because decapitating the iconic Aussie bird ‘isn’t animal cruelty’
- Man who allegedly decapitated kookaburra with is bare hands could be let off
- The man allegedly grabbed the kookaburra and pulled the bird’s head off
- The popular bird was known as Kevin and for cheekily stealing food from plates
- A loophole in the animal cruelty law could see the man escape conviction
- Do you know the kookaburra killer? Email tips@dailymail.com
A man who tore the head off a kookaburra at a pub in front of horrified children could escape prosecution because of a legal loophole.
The man, believed to be aged in his 40s, was at the Parkerville Tavern when he allegedly grabbed the kookaburra – known as Kevin – and pulled the bird’s head off then threw it under the table.
Kevin was known for cheekily stealing food from pub patrons and is believed to have nicked one of the man’s chips.
A man who tore the head off a kookaburra named Kevin (pictured) at a Perth pub in front of horrified children may still face prosecution
An RSPCA spokeswoman told AAP the organisation had not given up possibly pursuing the man but said the law was unclear.
Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan has vowed to examine legal avenues surrounding native wildlife protection – depending on the exact species – saying the man’s actions were ‘pretty disgusting’ and everyone was ‘rightly appalled’.
‘We are now checking with the department whether or not this can be characterised as an act of animal cruelty,’ she told reporters on Monday.
Ms MacTiernan said if the case had exposed a legal loophole, it could lead to changes to the Animal Welfare Act, which was currently under review.
‘Quite clearly we need a law that would stop that appalling behaviour happening,’ she said.
In a social media post that has since been deleted, the pub said they were ‘in disbelief about the barbaric attack on one of nature’s gifts’.
Kevin the kookaburra was well-known at the Parkerville Tavern (pictured) in Parkerville, 33km west of Perth (pictured) for hopping onto guests’ plates and helping them to finish their meal
The pub has said in a since removed social media post (statement pictured) staff were in a state of disbelief following the ‘barbaric attack’