Serial Killer In The Making

[lizbud]

Aussie boy breaks into zoo, feeds animals to croc
By Kristen Gelineau | Associated Press writer
7:29 AM CDT, October 3, 2008

SYDNEY, Australia - A 7-year-old boy broke into a popular Outback zoo, fed a string of animals to the resident crocodile and bashed several lizards to death with a rock, the zoo's director said Friday.

The 30-minute rampage, caught on the zoo's security camera, happened early Wednesday after the boy jumped a security fence at the Alice Springs Reptile Center in central Australia, said zoo director Rex Neindorf.

The child then went on a killing spree, bashing three lizards to death with a rock, including the zoo's beloved, 20-year-old goanna, which he then fed to "Terry," an 11-foot, 440-pound saltwater crocodile, said Neindorf.

The boy also fed several live animals to Terry by throwing them over the two fences surrounding the crocodile's enclosure, at one point climbing over the outer fence to get closer to the giant reptile.


In the footage, the boy's face remains largely blank, Neindorf said, adding: "It was like he was playing a game."

By the time he was done, 13 animals worth around $5,500 had been killed, including a turtle, bearded dragons and thorny devil lizards, Neindorf said. Although none were considered rare, some are difficult to replace, he said.

"We're horrified that anyone can do this and saddened by the age of the child," Neindorf said.

Alice Springs police said they are unable to press charges against the boy because of his age. Children under age 10 can't be charged with criminal offenses in the Northern Territory. His name was not released because of his age.

Neindorf said he plans to sue the boy's parents.

The boy's small size is probably the reason he didn't trip the zoo's security system, which relies on sensors to detect intruders, Neindorf said.

"I just want people to learn that they can't let their children go and run amok," Neindorf said. "If we can't put the blame onto the child, then someone has to accept the responsibility."

[Karen]

I would not be sure he's a serial killer in the making - he may have just wanted to feed the alligator.

[moosmom]

And this 7 year old boy's parents were where???? Sounds like another Jeffrey Dahlmer to me.

[shepgirl]

I read this in total disbelief . A 7 yr old boy doing something like this is out of my comprehension. Will he next be luring another two yr old toddler away from his mom to torture him ? And as was asked...where were his parents...?

[Puckstop31]

How quick we are to JUDGE.

You lefties never cease to amuse me. How fast you change what moves you. LOL

[boomersooner]

I think smashing rocks on the lizards' heads is a very disturbing thing....Just breaking into a zoo and doing this.....even if he did just want to feed the alligator....for a 7 year old boy to do this is disturbing...I hope his parents have him thoroughly evaluated....