Reward for squirrel torturer raised to 3’500 euros

Suspected animal abuser may soon be identified: Last Wednesday morning, an 18-year-old discovered a squirrel that an unknown person had apparently nailed alive to a tree in Bad Liebenwerda.

Reward rises to 3’500 euros

PETA subsequently offered a reward of 1’000 euros for information leading to the conviction of the perpetrator. Immobilien Schmidt GmbH from Leinfelden-Echterdingen increased PETA’s reward by a further 1’000 euros. Now two private individuals are also supporting the search for the perpetrator with 1’000 euros and 500 euros respectively. The reward for information leading to the conviction of the animal abuser therefore now totals 3’500 euros.

Several tips regarding possible perpetrators have already been received by the animal welfare organisation. PETA has forwarded these to the police in Bad Liebenwerda. PETA’s legal department is also examining whether to file a criminal complaint against the animal abuser or abusers.

«We hope that the perpetrator or perpetrators can be identified through the tips received», says Judith Pein on behalf of PETA. «Anailing an animal to a tree while it is still alive is a serious violation of the Animal Welfare Act and can be punished with a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years. The police must now investigate whether the squirrel was indeed still alive and whether the informants were correct.»

For Nadja Michler, wildlife specialist at the animal welfare organisation PETA, this is «a symbolic act». As recently as September, a case from Heidenheim had been reported, in which eleven hedgehogs had been bound together at the front legs with cable ties.

Witnesses can still contact the animal welfare organisation by phone at 0711-8605910 or by email, including anonymously.

The connection between violent acts against humans and animals

Psychologists, lawmakers, and courts now agree that offenses against animals require increasing attention. Aggression researcher Dr. Christoph Paulus from Saarland University states: «An estimated 80 to 90 percent of all extreme violent offenders have previously abused animals.»

PETA addresses the link between animal cruelty and violent crime in the brochure «People who abuse animals rarely stop there», which serves as an information resource for prosecutors, judges, police officers, and social workers.