Outrage at US Marine tossing puppy to its death in Iraq

Wednesday, 5 March 2008 12:00 AM

An online video recently broadcast on Youtube, shows a smiling US Marine in combat gear throwing a puppy over a cliff in Iraq to its certain death. The shocking video has enraged thousands of viewers who protested before it was removed from the website.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii is currently investigating the incident as the perpetrator in the video is purported to be as a Lance Corporal with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, a Hawaii Marine whose unit returned from Iraq in October.

Animal Defenders International (ADI) has written to the US ambassador in London, Mr Robert Holmes Tuttle, to protest in the strongest possible terms against the senseless act of a US Marine in Iraq killing this puppy and commenting whilst doing so, in a child-like voice: "Cute little puppy, huh? Oh so cute, so cute little puppy."

Jan Creamer, ADI Chief Executive, commented: "The US Marine who performed this barbaric act, slaughtering an innocent puppy as a joke, is a disgrace to his uniform and to his country. The idea of committing such a cruel act on a defenceless young pup is totally alien to the ethics and honour of any Marine on duty. He should be dishonourably discharged and prosecuted, with the severest sentence handed out to him, as he has committed a heinous crime against a helpless animal."

The incident reflects the dangerous level of desensitisation of serving Americans in Iraq. Psychologists have acknowledged that those who commit sadistic acts to animals are also likely to behave violently with vulnerable people such as children. Such was the case with Steven D. Green who was convicted of raping and killing a 14 year old Iraqi girl and her family. He also had an alleged record of animal abuse similar to that depicted in the video in question. Serving Americans who commit such acts of cruelty to animals are a potential hazard to those they are meant to protect and have no place in the armed forces.

The video can still be seen at: http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/43462/9fb16ab3/us_soldaat_gooit_puppy.html

_________________________________ENDS__________________________________

For further information, for ADI, please contact:
Allison Tuffrey Jones, Marie Clément
ADI Press Office, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1P 4QP on
Tel: 020 7630 9159 / 020 7630 3344
Mob: 07785 552548

Email: pr@ad-international.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

Animal Defenders International

With offices in London and San Francisco, Animal Defenders International (ADI) campaigns to protect animals in entertainment and experiments; worldwide traffic in endangered species; vegetarianism; factory farming; pollution and conservation. ADI involves itself in international animal rescues as well as educational work on animals, conservation and environment. Our evidence of the torment to animals has led to campaigns and legislative action all over the world to protect them.

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