Lawyer For Man Who Allegedly Ripped Off Kevin The Kookaburra's Head Says Bird Had It Coming

A majority of Australians are understandably shocked and dismayed about what has unfolded at a cheerful tavern near Perth.

A man has been accused of ripping the head off a local kookaburra because it nicked a bit of his food at the Parkerville Tavern. The bird is known by pub staff, who affectionately named him Kevin, and warned people that he can become peckish at time.

The horrific act was reportedly done in front of adults and kids, who watched the bloke toss the dead animal under the table.

In an interesting turn of events, the lawyer for the man reckons the bird had it coming.

9News

Ross Williamson told 9News Perth: "The kookaburra is an invasive species in WA. Until recently you could shoot them with impunity and people used to do that and get a community service award for doing that sort of thing.

"This particular bird I have reports about. It has attacked children. It's injured the faces of children... this bird is - or was - a dangerous nuisance animal and the Parkerville Tavern should have done something to deal with it."

He confirmed that his client has left the country after copping a load of intense threats from people on social media.

Mr Williamson said the man has received by threats of rape and murder because of the act - which no one deserves.

Google Maps

"I noticed the Police Commissioner, with the Police Minister at his side, called a press conference saying they are going to prosecute my client over the demise of a pest - a harmful, nuisance bird," he said.

"I hear nothing about the police investigating and prosecuting people for making threats to harm, kill and rape my clients. I call on the police to do that - to investigate this criminal vigilante."

Authorities are still working out whether they can charge him with animal cruelty offences, admitting that the legislation on the matter was tricky.

The Parkerville Tavern

Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said: "We are now checking with the department whether or not this can be characterised as an act of animal cruelty."

If the man does manage to get out of being charged with the offence, then Ms MacTiernan said moves would be taken to prevent this sort of thing from happening again.

"Quite clearly we need a law that would stop that appalling behaviour happening," she said.

Let's hope that happens because we can't exactly have people decapitating birds whenever they get angry.

Topics: News, Animals, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie