Two private schoolboys are charged after allegedly making a swan smoke a vape and filming the despicable act
Two teens have been charged after allegedly making a swan smoke a vape while on an inflatable boat.
The Perth private school students allegedly filmed themselves pinning the native black swan to the floor before one child held its beak and forced it to inhale smoke from a pink e-cigarette before smacking it.
He could also be seen laughing and saying ‘f*** you’ to the bird in the video shared to social media.
A Western Australian Police spokesman told Daily Mail they were aware of the alleged incident that occurred on July 31.
‘The incident has caused significant community concern,’ he said.
‘An investigation has concluded with two offenders being identified and charged.
‘Mandurah Police have charged two juveniles with “Animal Cruelty – causing an animal unnecessary harm” and the matter will be heard before the Mandurah Children’s Court on Monday.’
One of the students was handed a two-week suspension, The West Australian reported.
Two teens have been charged after allegedly making a swan smoke a vape while on an inflatable boat
Advocacy group Animals First Australia said they were ‘angry and devastated’ to hear that the swan had died.
‘We’ve had a reliable source confirm the swan was allegedly killed in the incident,’ they wrote on Facebook.
They said they had contacted the parents of one of the boys and were hoping to receive a donation from them.
‘We are still making enquiries regarding the welfare of the swan and attempting to make contact with the parents of the main offender,’ they said.
‘We hope they consider making a substantial donation to a wildlife rescue or sanctuary in response to this disturbing incident.’
Daily Mail contacted Animals First Australia for comment.
Many social media users demanded the teenagers face strict punishment.
‘I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it and how it suffered and these boys are the youth and our future. Lock them up make it harsh so others won’t do it,’ one said.
The Perth private school students allegedly filmed themselves pinning the native black swan to the floor before one child held its beak and forced it to inhale smoke
‘Adult crime, do the time. They knew what they were doing, age is not an excuse here,’ a second said.
‘Animal cruelty should automatically involve a prison sentence of no less than seven years with no parole regardless of who is committing the crime,’ another said.
‘Don’t let them off, they don’t deserve leniency. What they put that poor swan through is inhumane,’ a fourth said.
In Western Australia, maximum penalties for animal cruelty include a $50,000 fine and five years in prison, under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
