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Perth Man Fined $2,500 For Ripping Kevin The Kookaburra's Head Off

Perth Man Fined $2,500 For Ripping Kevin The Kookaburra's Head Off

It's the largest fine handed to someone for 'the unlawful take of fauna' offence.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

The case of Kevin the kookaburra shocked and horrified Australia.

Considering the bird is one of the nation's most famed birds, it was particularly unsettling to hear that a man had allegedly ripped the head off a popular local kookaburra.

Perth man Daniel Welfare was dining at the Parkerville Tavern just outside Perth when the bird, locally named Kevin, swooped in a nicked some food off his plate.

The bloke was so incensed by the act that he allegedly grabbed the bird and decapitated it in front of horrified onlookers.

Daniel Welfare.
Channel 9

The RSPCA and West Australian Police started an investigation to see whether Welfare could be charged with animal cruelty.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions announced on Friday that they had settled on a $2,500 fine.

"Thanks to the assistance of WA Police Force, and staff and patrons at the Parkerville Tavern, an individual has been issued with a $2,500 infringement for 'the unlawful take of fauna'," a spokesperson said.

"This is the first time a person has been fined the maximum amount for this type of offence since new laws came into force on January 1, 2019.

The Parkerville Tavern

"Even though kookaburras are not native to Western Australia, they are classified as fauna under the Act, which means people must not take or disturb them without lawful authority."

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, authorities are still continuing their investigation into the matter and further punishment hasn't been ruled out.

The Parkerville Tavern has apologised to anyone who witnessed the horrifying incident.

But the lawyer representing Welfare reckons the whole incident has been blown out of proportion.

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.

Ross Williamson.
9News

"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."

"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."

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

Featured Image Credit: The Parkerville Tavern

Topics: News, Animals, Australia