A grandfather who threw a live chicken at alligators in front of shocked bystanders, including children, at a wildlife park has expressed remorse as he awaits sentencing.
Peter William Smith, 57, picked up a silky bantam chicken named Betty White from his enclosure at Oakvale Wildlife Park in Salt Ash, New South Wales’ Hunter region, on January 2.
Smith, of Singleton, then threw Betty White into a nearby alligator enclosure, where the living animal was mauled to death by the reptiles.
He was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, which carries a maximum prison sentence of two years.
In February, Smith pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty when he appeared in Raymond Terrace District Court on Tuesday. ABC News reported.
Defense attorney Bryan Wrench attempted to deny the seriousness of his client’s actions by arguing that Smith was less sensitive to animals because he grew up in the countryside.
“Mr. Smith fed a chicken to a hungry alligator,” he told the court.
Mr Wrench added that his client was disappointed with himself.
Betty White, the silky bantam chick, was picked up by Smith in January and thrown to the alligators who killed her in front of visitors at Oakvale Wildlife Park
Peter William Smith, 57, (pictured) pleaded guilty on Tuesday. His lawyer Bryan Wrench (right) said his client grew up on a farm and was less sensitive to animals
Magistrate Kirralee Perry described Smith’s actions as serious.
“I don’t think it’s the best approach to downplay the situation,” she said.
Local chicken lover Julia Davies attended the hearing and said she was shocked by Mr Wrench’s comments.
“A chicken is more than just a plate to eat on, it is truly someone’s pet,” she said.
‘There are children who come home, especially children with special needs, [where] ‘A chicken on their lap gives them so much joy.’
Leanne Sansom, director of Oakvale Wildlife Park, said Betty White was part of a breeding program for endangered species.
Oakvale Wildlife Park has been around for 45 years, but its CEO said it has never experienced anything like what happened to Betty White
Mrs Sansom said Betty White’s death was “distressing”, particularly for the carers close to her.
The director said the zoo, which has been around for 45 years, was relieved that the grandfather pleaded guilty.
‘[We’ve] certainly never experienced anything like that during that period. It was just horrible,’ she said.
Smith will be sentenced in November.