PHUKET: Two French tourists who set a harmless Australian animal called a quokka alight in an an act of cruelty plan to continue their journey to Thailand, a court heard today.
Thibaud Jean Leon Vallet, 24, who has a masters degree in journalism and a police officer for a father, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in court in Perth with Jean Mickael Batrikian, 18, Fairfax Media reported.
The two men were fined $4000 each after burning the quokka using a deodorant can and a lighter on April 3.
The backpackers had saved enough money to pay for the fines during their working holidays, the court was told. They had planned to continue their travels to Thailand.
The court was shown a video that was taken by Vallet of the incident, revealing a 30-centimetre long flame singeing the quokka's head and body.
The magistrate noted it was ''perplexing as a journalist that you would make the decision to film such a cruel act''.
''One can only imagine the impact caused to the quokka,'' she said.
''Obviously it would have been fearful as a result of what occurred.''
The magistrate noted public uproar and outrage about the incident and said it was cruel and unusual treatment.
The question now is whether, following their conviction, the pair will be allowed into Thailand.
Thibaud Jean Leon Vallet, 24, who has a masters degree in journalism and a police officer for a father, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in court in Perth with Jean Mickael Batrikian, 18, Fairfax Media reported.
The two men were fined $4000 each after burning the quokka using a deodorant can and a lighter on April 3.
The backpackers had saved enough money to pay for the fines during their working holidays, the court was told. They had planned to continue their travels to Thailand.
The court was shown a video that was taken by Vallet of the incident, revealing a 30-centimetre long flame singeing the quokka's head and body.
The magistrate noted it was ''perplexing as a journalist that you would make the decision to film such a cruel act''.
''One can only imagine the impact caused to the quokka,'' she said.
''Obviously it would have been fearful as a result of what occurred.''
The magistrate noted public uproar and outrage about the incident and said it was cruel and unusual treatment.
The question now is whether, following their conviction, the pair will be allowed into Thailand.
(moderated)
Posted by Mister Ree on April 17, 2015 21:49
Editor Comment:
If you don't like what you read, don't read it. I hope that's plain enough for you. Unless you have something of value to add, Mister Ree, you won't be published again. Let me remind you of the PW edict, updated in 2013:
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