Mary the emu hacked up by hungry homeless

Loretta Bryce | 30th December 2008

Print
larger | smaller

A homeless man who cut a sleeping emu's throat at a zoo and hacked off its legs allegedly told police he slaughtered the bird because he was hungry.

Patrick James Andrews scaled the fence of Bundaberg's Alexandra Park and Zoo on the night of December 23 before stabbing 30-year-old Mary the emu to death and mutilating the animal.

Horrified zoo staff discovered her bloodied body on Christmas Eve.

Andrews, 22, appeared in custody in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to injuring an animal, animal cruelty and killing an animal with intent to steal. He sat in the dock with his head bowed throughout the mention.

A conviction could see him jailed for up to 10 years.

Magistrate Graeme Tatnell remanded Andrews in custody and adjourned the case to January 13.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Janice Thompson said police caught up with Andrews on December 24 when he was in a car crash at Howard.

He was charged with driving without due care and attention, driving under the influence of liquor, driving unlicensed and possession of a drug and drug utensil. His connection to the emu killing was unknown and he was released on bail but on Monday Andrews was charged with the three offences under the Animal Care and Protection Act.

Duty solicitor Ian Pilgrim did not apply for bail for Andrews when he appeared on the charges yesterday.