Source : Perth Now news
Two private school boys who sparked widespread community outrage after allegedly filming themselves forcing a native black swan to inhale vape smoke have been slapped with fresh charges.
In a statement on Friday, Western Australia Police confirmed the swan at the centre of the alleged video had died.
“As a result of ongoing investigations into an animal cruelty incident in Mandurah earlier this month involving the death of a black swan, Mandurah Detectives identified a second alleged offence,” a police spokesman said.
Mandurah Detectives have since charged the two male youths with an additional count of causing an animal unnecessary harm following the bird’s death.
In shocking footage of the alleged incident, the younger teen can be seen shoving an e-cigarette into the trapped bird’s beak and blowing vape smoke down its throat, while the older boy filmed.
The older boy then swore at the swan and allegedly struck it with an open right hand.
Later in the clip, the bird was shown slumped against the side of the vessel. After returning the swan to the water, the teens allegedly shared the video with friends.
The boys, who have been identified as students from an Anglican school south of Perth, cannot be named for legal reasons due to their age.
Coverage of the incident by the West Australian sparked community outrage and resulted in the schoolboys being charged by police over the matter.
For the full story, head to the West Australian.
– with NewsWire
