Two teenagers have been charged with animal cruelty in Western Australia following an alleged incident where a native black swan was forced to inhale smoke from an e-cigarette. The event, which reportedly occurred on July 31, was filmed and shared on social media, sparking significant community concern.
According to reports, the two private school students are accused of pinning the swan to the floor of an inflatable boat. One of the individuals allegedly held the bird's beak closed and forced it to inhale smoke from a pink e-cigarette before striking it. Laughter and expletives directed at the swan were reportedly captured in the video.
A spokesperson for Western Australian Police confirmed that an investigation into the alleged incident concluded with the identification and charging of two juveniles. The charges filed are for "Animal Cruelty - causing an animal unnecessary harm," and the case is scheduled to be heard in the Mandurah Children's Court.
One of the students involved reportedly received a two-week suspension from their school, according to The West Australian.
Advocacy group Animals First Australia expressed anger and devastation, stating they had received confirmation from a source that the swan had died as a result of the incident. The group indicated they were attempting to contact the parents of the main offender and suggested a substantial donation to a wildlife rescue in response to the incident.
Public reaction on social media has been strong, with many demanding severe punishment for the teenagers. Comments reflected outrage over the alleged suffering of the animal and called for harsh penalties to deter future acts of cruelty. Under Western Australia's Animal Welfare Act 2002, the maximum penalties for animal cruelty include a $50,000 fine and up to five years in prison.
