ADF Soldiers defeat a formidable enemy

[Birdy]

Soldiers fined over kitten cruelty
From The Australian
By Lloyd Jones
May 11, 2004
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9527410%255E421,00.html

SIX Australian soldiers have been fined $2000 each after pleading guilty to cruelly treating kittens, one of which was dragged behind a motorcycle and three others set alight.

The soldiers from Townsville's Lavarack Barracks appeared in the Townsville Magistrate's Court yesterday on one count each of cruelty.

Ben Charles David Lightbody, 21, Brett Michael Henry Neville, 26, Casey Mitchell Parker, 21, Geoffrey Martin Symonds, 20, Darryl Stephen Llewellin, 26, and Christopher James Murray, 19, were each fined but had no conviction recorded against them.

Lightbody and Neville also were disqualified from driving for six months.

Police said the incident occurred at the barracks on Easter Saturday involving a litter of four kittens from a stray cat.

Sergeant Paul Breitkreutz, of Stuart police, said the soldiers tied a rope around a kitten's neck then dragged it along a bitumen road.

He said the kitten survived but was then placed behind a vehicle's rear wheel. When the vehicle's handbrake was released, it rolled back and crushed the kitten to death.

The three other kittens were then thrown one by one onto the road, where fuel was poured over them and they were set alight, Sgt Breitkreutz said.

Australian Defence Force spokesman Mark Tanzer said such behaviour was totally unacceptable in the Australian army and military police had promptly contacted Queensland police about the incident.

Mr Tanzer said the soldiers' commander would consider each man's record and determine what action to take.

The soldiers, all from an army support battalion, said they would each voluntarily perform 100 hours of community service for the RSPCA.

[punkologist]

Thats disgraceful, makes me want to throw up. I don't like cats but that is just wrong.

[CQ]

that is pathetic. as much as i hate cats, i really hate ppl who are cruel to animals so much more.