Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Qld possum killer fined for animal cruelty
A former army officer who killed an annoying possum in his Brisbane backyard has been ordered to pay almost $5000 for his animal cruelty.
October 11, 2018
A retired army officer who used a homemade spear to kill a possum that had taken up residence in a tree by his bedroom window has been fined for animal cruelty.
Ashley Stanley pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday after a neighbour took photos after the attack on the possum, which was left hanging dead by its tail from a blood-smeared picket fence.
Stanley’s lawyer, Ben Taylor, attempted to argue the spear was actually a homemade hoe.
Magistrate Tina Privitera rejected the defence. She said the broom handle and knife had been specifically made for the purpose of killing.
“You can buy a garden implement that will do that, you don’t have to fashion a knife on the end of a broomstick … I’m not persuaded,” Ms Privitera said.
The 65-year-old was fined $3500 and ordered to pay costs of around $1400.