ONE of the four Perth men charged in relation to the shocking torture and death of two kangaroos has had his sentencing adjourned to December 7.
Magistrate Deen Potter also extended 28-year-old Ricky Ian Swan’s bail in Joondalup Magistrates Court this morning.
The Aveley resident, represented in court by lawyer John Hammond, pleaded guilty last month to kangaroo cruelty and possessing a knife to harm an animal.
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READ NOWMr Hammond told Community News that he said to the court his client had been drinking so heavily he didn’t know where or when the knife attack on the kangaroo had happened.
“He’s only been aware of it when a video was posted on Instagram,” Mr Hammond said.
“And he decided to hand himself into police.
“He accepts it was a senseless and brutal act for which there’s no excuse.”
Mr Hammond said he told the court Swan was better off not being jailed – Mr Potter is considering a jail or suspended jail term – because his rehabilitation for alcohol abuse was “going along very well”.
“And he’s got two dependents, a four-month-old baby and a five-year-old child,” he said.
Police say the attacks, which were filmed on mobile phone and shocked WA detectives, happened between May 19 and June 16.
In the lead-up to today’s sentencing, the Animal Justice Party called for a jail term.
“Additionally, we would like to see an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act that includes a minimum penalty (over and above any suspended sentences) of at least $1000 and two months community service,” Party WA convenor Katrina Love said.
“Currently there is no set minimum penalty, with magistrates determining the sentence on a case by case basis. Introducing a mandatory minimum penalty sends a clear message to offenders that animal cruelty of any kind is unacceptable in a civilised society and they will face punishment.”