A man was arrested for kicking a rabbit on an island in western Japan, police said Wednesday, amid a spate of violence against the animals that has led to 77 deaths.
Riku Hotta, 25, is suspected of animal abuse. He was apprehended immediately after being seen kicking the creature, which later died, on a street on Okuno Island in Hiroshima Prefecture around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The island is home to about 500 semi-wild rabbits.
Between Nov 26 and Jan 12, 77 rabbit carcasses exhibiting broken bones and other injuries were discovered on the island, local authorities said, suggesting unnatural deaths. The islet is called "Rabbit Island."
Hotta, a company employee, has admitted to the suspected animal abuse, according to the police.
© KYODO
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Aly Rustom
I really really hope this scumbag gets a long jail term. SOBs like this who abuse animals really make my blood boil. Hope he doesn't see the light of day for a long while.
Jay
Agreed Aly. What kind of twisted individual looks at an innocent, defenseless animal and decides a murderous kicking is the answer? This is just outright depravity, and anyone capable of such a vile act is a danger to more than just rabbits. Justice for those animals should be swift and equally consequential.
kurisupisu
First rabbits and next?
This guy definitely has severe mental problems.
Some dude
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals", like Kant put it.
This guy clearly has issues with his heart.
diobrando
Crazy...10 years in jail and money earn in factory going to animal NPO.
SDCA
As someone who grew up with bunnies, this makes my blood boil too Aly.
Toshihiro
Guys like these are just rageworthy. He should pick on something his own size, preferably a wild boar or a bear.
USNinJapan2
Now that's one sick individual. It's unfortunate it took 78 dead rabbits before he was caught in the act.
GuruMick
"The Anatomy of Motive " is a text by a former homicide detective in the USA who specialised in serial killers.
He wrote 3 traits were evident in the killers history
1/Wet the bed as a young child , who should have grown past this
2/A fascination with fires, lighting and observing.
3/Cruelty to animals.
I hope the cops do a thorough investigation of this person including interviews with parents, teachers, friends and employers.
WoodyLee
Sick minded thug.
リッチ
When they have nothing better to do in the countryside. Suspect the guy needs some mental health counseling. Clearly so many rush to side with animals than looking at the sad overall story of someone clearly in some desperate needs is mental health.
WoodyLee
As many psychologist and experts say, Serial Killers start very small killing little insects, animals, then before you know it H.
Tokyo Guy
Clearly so many rush to side with animals than looking at the sad overall story of someone clearly in some desperate needs is mental health.
Oh boy. The "he was abandoned by society and (wrings hands) needs love and support so he's allowed to act like this" crowd has arrived.
nandakandamanda
Arrested and charged presumably. I wonder what his sentence will be?
nandakandamanda
"The amendment to the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals in 2019 significantly increases the penalties for the unreasonable killing of protected animals up to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to 5 million yen. The penalty has been substantially increased. Meanwhile, the number of prosecutions on animal abuse has nearly doubled in the last five years. "
From here: Japan Focus - Guidelines for Responding to Animal Cruelty - 世界愛犬聯盟
(WDA World Dog Alliance webpage)
Tokyo Guy
"The amendment to the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals in 2019 significantly increases the penalties for the unreasonable killing of protected animals up to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to 5 million yen. The penalty has been substantially increased. Meanwhile, the number of prosecutions on animal abuse has nearly doubled in the last five years. "
It's a start, but it should be harsher yet.
In my town there's a bicycle parking area near the station, and there's a very prominent sign notifying potential bicycle thieves that the theft of a bicycle can be punished by up to roughly similar terms as the above figures. Might even be slightly greater. So killing an animal and stealing a bike are seen as equivalent...
P_C
Yes, not today's conventionally accepted behavior. However, let's not forget our human evolution from chimpanzees and bonobos. This behavior is not that variant from our lineage. Just saying.
Tokyo Guy
Yes, not today's conventionally accepted behavior. However, let's not forget our human evolution from chimpanzees and bonobos. This behavior is not that variant from our lineage. Just saying.
However, our capacity for reasoning (which is higher than that of chimpanzees and bonobos...well, in some cases (looks at most recent US election results) gives us the option to be good (i.e not killing, etc.) or not to be good. Choosing not to be good is arguably to waste the higher levels of reasoning power that we have over other animals.
Aly Rustom
I agree.
Jimizo
Humans didn’t evolve from chimpanzees and/or bonobos. We share a common ancestor with them. Basic stuff. Just sayin.
Anyway, what a nasty piece of work.
gaijintraveller
Amazing. This really is news. The police took some action against animal abuse. I wonder what activated them. Usually they do nothing about it.
Juanito3001
Watch out they might turn on you. Perhaps sending in a pack of their tough friends to protect the island population. Not skinny bunnies but weighing up to and occasionally over 20 pounds, the Flemish Giant is the largest rabbit breed in the world. This “gentle giant” has a docile temperament but will not take abuse easily They have a 8- to 10-year lifespan. The Flemish Giant rabbit comes in seven colors. They originated in 16th-century Belgium and were originally bred for their fur and meat. However today when provoked watch-out
tora
The question is, how did he manage to get so close to the little critter? Those things move like lightening. And the loser should be made to clean rabbit cages as a punishment.