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Case #9967 Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Zoo alligator hit with rock, thrown by 9 year old
Honolulu, HI (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 27, 2000
County: Honolulu
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 2 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Juvenile
Honolulu Zoo employees say they have been fighting to prevent animal abuse by visitors for years, but the laws are difficult to enforce.
However, on December 27, 2000, police arrested a 9-year-old boy caught in the act of throwing a rock at an alligator. It was the first arrest for animal cruelty in years, a zoo employee said.
Bob, the alligator, received slight injuries to his face. Police said the boy will have to attend a counseling session with his parents.
A zoo volunteer said alligators and tortoises are the most frequent targets of rock-throwing children, who are trying to make them move.
Signs posted around the animal enclosures are not much of a deterrent although they warn, "Rock throwing or harassment will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
"Kids do what kids do," said the volunteer, noting that the abuse occurs despite the presence of volunteers and security guards. "It pretty much depends on the adults they're with," he said.
Other abuse involves feeding the animals and running in the zoo, because the animals are excited by the movement, he said. Along with the warning sign in front of the alligator enclosure, a box displays several projectiles found in the animal cages or on their backs and heads, including rocks about the same size as the one that hit Bob. A zoo employee said it was difficult to get approval for the box because they first had to prove that animal abuse occurred. "It actually has helped (stem the abuse) a little bit," the employee said.
Three boys were present, but only the one who threw a rock was arrested, the employee said. Arrests only occur "if there is clear intent to harm the animal."
Zoo officials declined comment on the incident, referring the matter to city Managing Director Ben Lee, who issued the following statement: "There was an incident involving a child throwing a rock at one of our zoo animals. This is unfortunate. We want to encourage the general public to follow the rules in helping us to keep our zoo animals healthy, safe and happy." References
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