Kitten 'dragged behind bike'

2004-05-11 07:23

Townsville, Australia - Six Australian soldiers were facing the likelihood of dismissal on Tuesday after causing outrage by admitting to a court that they tortured to death a litter of kittens.

Amid continuing outrage in Australia over allegations from Baghdad of US and British soldiers torturing Iraqi prisoners, army colleagues of the six men, local residents and animal welfare groups have all expressed shock at their behaviour.

The soldiers, from an army support battalion based at Townsville's Lavarack Barracks, were fined by the local magistrate's court on Monday after pleading guilty to cruelty to animals charges.

But a spokesperson for the Australian Defence Force said their commanding officer has issued them with a notice to show cause why they should not be dismissed.

"This has shocked a lot of people and the army will not condone this type of behaviour," said the army's Brian Hickey.

Police told the hearing the the soldiers had tied a rope around one kitten's neck before dragging it behind a motorbike.

The kitten survived but was then placed behind the rear wheel of a vehicle and when its handbrake was released, it rolled back and crushed the kitten to death.

Three other kittens were then thrown one by one on to the road, where fuel was poured over them. They were set alight and burnt to death.

Magistrate David Glasgow said the soldiers had brought disgrace and dishonour to the army by their actions, but said he would not record a conviction against them.

The six, Ben Lightbody, 21, Brett Neville, 26, Casey Parker, 21, Geoffrey Symonds, 20, Darryl Llewellin, 26, and Christopher James Murray, 19, were each fined around R10 000 and ordered to to perform 100 hours of service at the RSPCA.

But Queensland state RSPCA chief executive Mark Townsend said his staff did not want the help of people who would do that to animals.

"I don't think those soldiers would actually be able to turn and help at all with the shelter until they had some other counselling," he said.

"Normal people don't burn cats alive and don't drag them behind motorbikes. There's a lot more serious problem there than just turning up to the RSPCA and doing some work to make them feel better."

The Returned Services League (RSL) ex-services group also expressed horror, saying the soldiers should be dismissed.

"I'm horrified and appalled to say the least," RSL President Major General Bill Crews told ABC Radio.

"There is no explanation for why a person would reasonably do that. They have disgraced the army through their behaviour, it's as simple as that, and it's not acceptable to the army, I feel sure."

- AFP