Reveller who ripped the head off of a beloved kookaburra named Kevin after the well-known bird grabbed food from his plate could face charges
- The man allegedly grabbed the kookaburra and pulled the bird’s head off
- An RSPCA spokeswoman said they had not given up possibly pursuing the man
- The popular bird was known as Kevin and for cheekily stealing food from plates
A man who tore the head off a kookaburra at a Perth pub in front of horrified children may still face prosecution.
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.
A man who tore off the head of a kookaburra while at dinner may face charges (stock)
An RSPCA spokeswoman told AAP the organisation had not given up possibly pursuing the man but said the Act 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.
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’
‘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’.