A man who recorded the “horrible and prolonged” blow of a cat in southwest Washington and hung it on WhatsApp has been ordered to do community service.
Key points:
- During the attack, Tonga nationals can be heard laughing
- He can also be heard saying “stop doing this to the poor cat”
- But the prosecutor argued it was a “frivolous or sarcastic” reason.
Tevita Fifita Vaenuku, who has been in prison for a month, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty.
WARNING: This article contains details that some people may find distressing.
The Perth Magistrate’s Court learned that the 27-year-old had recorded his co-worker Max Loketi attacking the cat in March.
Vaenuku, a Tongan national, was working and living on a farm in Hamel, south of Perth, when the incident occurred.
The short but disturbing video was played in the courtroom.
Max Loketi grabbed the cat by the tail and hit him several times with a stick or a stick and then hit him on the ground.
The 28-year-old continued to hit the cat before throwing it outside.
Max Loketi (left) was jailed for the attack. (ABC News: supplied)
During the attack, Vaenuku heard laughter and spoke Tongan.
Vaenuku posted the vision on WhatsApp and the Loketi businessman reported it to the police.
Wednesday’s court proceedings were conducted with the assistance of a Tongan interpreter via an audio link.
Allegations to stop the attack “frivolous or sarcastic”: the prosecution
Prosecutor Ian Weldon told the court that Vaenuku was charged because he was animating the attack.
“Although Mr. Vaenuku could be heard saying ‘stop it before the cat dies’ and ‘stop doing it to the poor cat’, the general tenor of the actions and the conversation acted as a clear stimulus. “, he said.
Weldon told the court that such statements should be considered “frivolous or sarcastic.”
His lawyer, David Rice, told the court that his client was in Australia with a work permit to pick fruit.
Prior to his arrest, Vaenuku lived in a local bar and had since lost his job.
Rice said his client wanted to share the video with other Tongan workers via WhatsApp, but “he should have pressed the wrong button” and made it public.
Laughter “encouraged aggression”: magistrate
Magistrate Cillian Stockdale called the attack “horrible and prolonged.”
“The treatment of this animal is extremely serious,” he told the court.
He agreed that Vaenuku asked Loketi to stop.
“But what stands out most is your laughter at what was going on,” he said, saying that encouraged the assault.
Magistrate Stockdale sentenced the 27-year-old to a community warrant.
Vaenuku noted that he had been detained for a month, in circumstances where other prisoners did not know his language and this would have made the experience difficult.
Vaen was ordered to do 40 hours of community service if he remained in WA, and to seek counseling for anger management and proper treatment of animals.
Max Loketi was recently jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to animal cruelty.