http://www.startribune.com/world/30242819....D3aPc:_Yyc:aUUJ




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

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."

That is a serious . Holy crap.

This never would've happened if Steve Irwin was alive...

I heard something about this on the news a couple of days ago and thought wTF to myself. It's worrying that people can do that sorta thing with absolutely no remorse, 7 years old or not. At that age you should know right from wrong.

Poor animals. I hope the little bastard gets hit bad with karma or at least a rock like the ones he used.


Please note these are my opinions only and I don't want to get into a huge debate over it

Sociopath in training.

And where were the parents during this 30min outburst?

Christ, can't people keep a leash on their gargoyles? I hope their wallets bleed for this.

See, I still don't get this "Under X years can't be imprisoned because they don't know any better" shot, as they patently KNOW they can't be done and do crap like this while they still can.*



*Obviously, not all children are evil spawn of Cthulhu. I know this, you know this, you don't need to say it while rolling your eyes and saying that I don't have children so I cannot possibly understand, but thing is, I used to be a child, I remember being young and thinking half in jest "I'm too young to be tried as an adult so...".

*looks at Haggisjin*

You're kidding, right? Not once did that thought evercross my mind.

How old are you?

For the record, I'm 21.

So they can't press charges, but I hope the boy gets some help.

It's due to children of that age not being able to fully comprehend the consequences of their actions. (ie. The concept of how long ten years in jail actually is, etc.). That's why a lot of the time they fine the sh!t out of the parents for their children's actions.


While prosecuting him may make you feel better, it doesn't serve society's best interest. Justice isn't about revenge



Also, I don't get what this has to do with gun regulation......

I think few of us have any conception of just how far removed we all are from even our 14-year-old selves, much less our 7-year-old selves. I'd be ashamed and mortified to think that I might have ever been close to having the same mentality as whatever went on in this kid's head, but the point is that that's something that's easy for me to recognize NOW. Yeah, I suppose I've never been to any point where I'd be outright pounding actual creatures with rocks, but I think we've all had our share of burning ants with magnifying glasses and salting snails (although, those can be regarded as pest creatures.. meh).

fffffffffffFFFFFFFFFFAAAAAAIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLL!

not gun regulation per say, but misconceptions over violence in children being related to violence in media and in play.

Im sure that the solution should be, charge the parents with the crime. Hell not the act itself but certainly being an accessory.
Oh but it isnt fair JR doesnt know better.
YOU KNOW BETTER, hell I think that in this situation that anyone who is watching this act taking place should have each bent little retard over their knee for 50 spanks EACH. Then punched the rents in the face.

QFT

So tired of this age of unaccountability.

i too blame the parents

i knew right from wrong as a child & it's only due to my parents teaching/punishing/guiding/etc me through my childhood - can't really blame the kid for being dragged up instead of brought up