Australian boy breaks into Outback zoo, bashes lizards, feeds animals to giant crocod

**Mr Pot** · 03-10-2008, 04:19 PM

By KRISTEN GELINEAU , Associated Press

Last update: October 3, 2008 - 2:31 AM

SYDNEY, Australia - A 7-year-old boy broke into a popular Outback zoo, fed a string of animals to the resident crocodile and bashed several lizards to death with a rock, the zoo's director said Friday.
The 30-minute rampage, caught on the zoo's security camera, happened early Wednesday after the boy jumped a security fence at the Alice Springs Reptile Center in central Australia, said zoo director Rex Neindorf.

The child then went on a killing spree, bashing three lizards to death with a rock, including the zoo's beloved, 20-year-old goanna, which he then fed to "Terry," an 11-foot, 440-pound saltwater crocodile, said Neindorf.
The boy also fed several live animals to Terry by throwing them over the two fences surrounding the crocodile's enclosure, at one point climbing over the outer fence to get closer to the giant reptile.

In the footage, the boy's face remains largely blank, Neindorf said, adding: "It was like he was playing a game."
By the time he was done, 13 animals worth around $5,500 had been killed, including a turtle, bearded dragons and thorny devil lizards, Neindorf said. Although none were considered rare, some are difficult to replace, he said.
"We're horrified that anyone can do this and saddened by the age of the child," Neindorf said.

Alice Springs police said they are unable to press charges against the boy because of his age. Children under age 10 can't be charged with criminal offenses in the Northern Territory. His name was not released because of his age.
Neindorf said he plans to sue the boy's parents.

The boy's small size is probably the reason he didn't trip the zoo's security system, which relies on sensors to detect intruders, Neindorf said. "I just want people to learn that they can't let their children go and run amok," Neindorf said. "If we can't put the blame onto the child, then someone has to accept the responsibility."

WTF!!

**Nawty** · 03-10-2008, 04:32 PM

Wonder if he was just doing what came natural to him...outback kid and all.

Maybe his parents left him while they went off drinkin

**Begbie** · 03-10-2008, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Pot

By KRISTEN GELINEAU , Associated Press

Last update: October 3, 2008 - 2:31 AM

SYDNEY, Australia - A 7-year-old boy broke into a popular Outback zoo, fed a string of animals to the resident crocodile and bashed several lizards to death with a rock

Was he bald and wearing a jacket with "Perth Fire Brigade" on the back ?

**English Noodles** · 03-10-2008, 07:10 PM

^Maybe.

Originally Posted by Mr Pot

which he then fed to "Terry57," an 11-foot, 440-pound saltwater crocodile

**November Rain** · 03-10-2008, 07:50 PM

Jesus! That's the same age as my boy. I don't know what I'd do to him if he ever harmed any animal. WTF were his parents?

Horrible - and his parents need to take responsibility for this. Don't they say serial killers often start off with killing animals? This child needs help (although, being the cow I am) incarceration would do. Preferably for a very long time.

**dirtydog** · 03-10-2008, 08:00 PM

Quite savage these Aussies aint they, probably lucky we got rid of them when we did.

**Larn** · 03-10-2008, 08:02 PM

The Oz news is saying the police can't take any action against the boy due to his age...however,

"the centre's director Red Neindorf said today he was disgusted by the incident, and vowed to take civil action against the family of the boy, whom he has described as a "ratbag"."

**Larn** · 03-10-2008, 08:04 PM

DD only a fool sends their prisoners to paradise and stays in a shytehole themselves

**dirtydog** · 03-10-2008, 08:06 PM

^Most weren't intended to survive the journey though

**dirtydog** · 04-10-2008, 02:33 PM

Australian Boy Breaks Into Zoo, Feeds Animals to Crocodile

Australian News Headlines Here

**dirtydog** · 04-10-2008, 02:34 PM

Boy fed reptiles to crocodile

Alice Springs police say no action can be taken against a seven year-old boy who killed more than a dozen reptiles, because he's not legally responsible.

Staff arrived at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre yesterday morning to find thorny devils, blue tongues and a goanna dead or missing.

Security camera footage revealed a seven-year-old boy had jumped a rear fence and killed the animals, throwing some into the crocodile pen.

Police have spoken to the boy and his family about the incident.

The centre's director, Rex Neindorf, says he'll consider further action.

'This is a juvenile so unfortunately nothing can be done but we'll probably look at taking the family to court and getting restitution that way.

"Parents of children need to learn that they have to keep their children under control and they just can't wreak havoc like what's going on."

Mr Neindorf says 13 lizards and a turtle were killed, with most thrown into the crocodile pen.

He says the gruesome discovery was made just before 8:00am yesterday.

"One of the staff was actually out the back and actually heard a noise going on in the crocodile pond.

"He put his head over to investigate and the crocodile was actually eating one of the animals then upon a quick look around the back he discovered more had gone missing.

"The saddest thing is we've lost our female spencer's goanna. We've had her for close to 10 years and she's around 20 years old, so that's a big loss for us."
Mr Neindorf says he's saddened someone so young was involved in the killings.

Australian News Headlines Here

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