Aussie Boy Breaks Into Zoo, Feeds Animals To Crocodiles (VIDEO)

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."

Comments

[littlepuffycloud]

This kid is a serial murderer in the making..it­'s horrifying. At his age, my kids were bringing home stray cats and dogs, the occassional injured box turtle or bird, all of which we nursed back to health. I pray his parents get this little monster some serious help or they may find themselves looking down the barrel of a shotgun as soon as he's able to lift one.

[livingston1]

I agree!!

[HypocrisyAlarm]

It is very likely that the upbringing provided by these parents has led to this behavior. I'm not sure helping the parents will improve the situation, but I do hope so.

[andvoodoo2]

Children who torture and kill animals are frequently sociopaths. Most serial killers, when interviewed, admitted to torturing and killing animals when they were children. This child is damaged goods and was probably born defective.

[Sadducee]

This young man should grow up to become a productive member of society.

[andvoodoo2]

I would bet one of my kidneys that he will kill again.

[Fudgefase]

This kid needs his head checked out. Cruelty to animals is often an early indicator of severely antisocial conditions that manifest later in life - people like sociopaths and phychopaths often start out in this way.

[trollslayer]

True. This is the profile of a potential sociopath.

[grantlingel]

Why is this under green news? Because the crocodile is green? Or the other reptiles? Poor things.. that kid definitely will need to undergo some serious behavior treatment before those animals turn into people.
http://grantlingel.blogspot.com

[Pietranera]

Serial killing of animals? This sproglet is a little Sarah Palin in the making.

Hallams's comments are disturbing. People should not make excuses for cruelty to animals or for other bad behavior in their children. In the past 15 years I have noticed a marked rise in parents excusing all kinds of rude or destructive behavior on the part of their children, saying in their defense that children will be children and the like. It is parents' responsibility to train their children to behave appropriately and keep them from being destructive or disturbing to others. There has been backlash to the adage that children should be seen and not heard. On this point, moderation is needed, not a mindless backlash: children should be allowed to express opinions but not to run amok; they should be shown tolerance for mistakes but should be trained to behave politely and considerately. Moreover, whether or not, as Hallams surmises, this boy was preparing for a tribal ritual, cruelty to animals is still sick, destruction of property is still wrong, and having suffered oneself is not an excuse for inflicting suffering in turn on other beings.

[hypnotoad72]

Unfortunately, "boys will be boys" is an aphorism almost as old as the profession known as "prostitution". And that's why bullies continue to get the run of the school, and making the lives of millions of adults and other children miserable; Heaven help the children made miserable.­..

As was said earlier, it's not always about parenting, but recalling what I saw as a child, that pales compared to the circus acts allowed in schools today. And to think that was only 21 years ago...

[Hallams]

My comments, you find disturbing , while comments such as these remain un challenged:
"
"I would not want to be around this little freak when he grows up. His parents should be beaten with a hot rake."

I agree with you Pietranera, there is a need for children to be given firm boundaries, and consequences for their behavior.
My main point was to:
A) hi-light the fact that we only have a small amount of info regarding this situation, and pointing to a possible scenario that may point towards an understanding of what motivated the boys behavior

B) many responses were asking for retribution that involved violence toward the child and his parents, thus being guilty of advocating and condoning the very behavior they were protesting about. Pure hypocrisy.

[gr8abz]

Jeffrey Dahmers got his start by torturing little animals too.

[Ellie P]

I raised a child who is Antisocial Personality Disorder. Not all the blame belongs on the parents. Something in the brain of children with this disorder just doesn't click on. I have another child that is just as normal as can be.
People have been saying that this little boy should be beaten and he needs counseling. Discipline and counseling doesn't always work.
I wasn’t an abusive parent but I certainly wasn’t a push over. I would like to think that I was fair. My house was a virtual prison. Bedroom doors were locked to stop theft. The telephone and Internet were disconnected because she would give strange men our address. She was restricted most of her teen years. Life was a living hell.
These children lie so convincingly others believe the outrageous stories. Neighbors would say I was tough on my child. I would tell them that they just didn't know her. Soon they would realize she had lied and stolen from them. Then they would change their minds.
Did I feel like a failure, Yes I did. Do I blame myself? I did at one point but I have come to realize this was beyond my control. Do I think that my child should have children? No I do not. Do I think my child will end up in jail or dead before 30? Yes I do. Is there anything I can really do about this? No there isn’t. Do I love my child? Yes I do.

[ebeth369]

My heart goes out to you! While I think this family should have been able to keep their seven-year-old from running free in the streets (perhaps with the methods you've described), I can only imagine what it would be like to raise a child like this. You had to work much harder than most parents, and still be seen as 'not doing your job'. I'm glad you had another child who was easier, and I'm glad you shared with us to give another perspective.

[hypnotoad72]

Thank you for posting. In seriousness, you should write a book with your situation and story and get it published. Yours is the sort people would genuinely benefit from.

It is far more than just how a person parents -- never mind the truism behind peer pressure and all, but some kids' brains develop differently (or not at all) and the parents cannot be blamed for that.

It's tragic yours developed APD. I've met a few in real life too - NOT pleasant for parents to deal with, to say the least.

[andvoodoo2]

My heart goes out to you. My ex was a sociopath (it took me years to realize it because he was such a convincing liar). My children and I haven't seen him in 13 years and we are still recovering from the damage he did to us. May God help you.

[Ankhorite]

I'm very sorry for you. I agree, (some? all?) sociopaths are simply born that way. I know one family that has four generations of sociopathic males.

I am not a psychiatrist or an anthropologist, but after observing two other sociopaths up close - both MASTERS of camouflage, no one would ever believe it on first meeting her or him - that the best that could be hoped for in those cases was to teach them like you'd teach a dog. Asking a sociopath to "do the right thing" is like asking a frog to fly. The ability simply isn't there. They seem to have no moral context, no ability to empathize with a victim.

Teach a dog not to get up on the couch, and they'll stop doing it for fear of the consequences (being hollered at or shunned or put out of the room). You can't teach the dog not to get up on the couch because it's wrong (to mess up the upholstery, whatever). They don't understand "wrong." They understand "get in trouble."

Same with sociopaths. It may seem as though they have a sense of right and wrong, and a conscience, but they simply don't. They may learn HOW to behave, but they never learn WHY. They don't learn compassion­.... they learn how to PASS.

I used to wonder what I would do if I had a son like that. My heart goes out to you, and all the difficult decision you have to make.

[MSGH]

The police may not be able to arrest him, but I don't see what good arresting him would do, anyway. What should happen is that social services should take him into care since his parents don't seem to be taking proper care of him and get him the help he needs.

[taddles]

Put the parents in jail, put the child down. Early signs of anti-social behavior disorder ultimately leading to a psychopathic personality. Euthanize the little scum now before he grows up to be a serial killer.

[Cobia]

Thank you, taddles,
As I was reading the post and comments here I was forming one much as yours' expresses so well.
We may not know enough yet about this incident, but I doubt the majority here calling for "help from social services', for the little SOB would want him living in their neighborhood.
It is probably just a matter of time until his next spree.

[Yalegirl03]

The bigger question is where were his parents? He is only 7 years old yet he was able to be unsupervised long enough to break into a zoo and go on this rampage. Not only are his parents neglectful, but they have really done a job on this kid. I think the kid need serious psychological attention and some intervention in his home life.

[ProfiteerInCheif]

(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-IV]: Antisocial Personality Disorder:

pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others” by repeatedly performing illegal acts, lying to and conning others for pleasure or profit, being impulsive, not planning ahead, physically assaulting others, disregarding rules of safety, and failing to sustain employment or honor financial obligation­s...ration­alizing behaviors such as hurting or stealing, while lacking remorse for and are indifferent to the consequences of their actions...­These behaviors will often result in the individual being arrested numerous times. Consequently, “the psychopath has the image of a cold, heartless, inhuman being”. The warning signs of this disorder are clearly recognizable. Prior to age 15, a large percentage of individuals with APD, more frequently male, will be cruel to animals, set fires, and show anger toward authority figures. Unfortunately, reference material has shown “treatment for this disorder is very rarely sought.

[WorkingClass]

This is George Bush. What does your book say about the people who love and admire him?

[Hallams]

We only have the narrow details from the media outlined in this news worthy article.
If the boy is of the local indigenous population then he has probably been hunting lizards or seen his mom and dad or recently been taught in prep for his initiation ceremony coming up in a few years.
On other dynamic is the anger and resentment the indigenous population has in relation to recent Govt intervention and how this may play out in the boys behavior, especially towards animals in captivity. There has been of recent times a deliberate shaming of the indigenous population. For all we know we may be seeing a young warrior crying out in his spirit....­..

Then again i may be totally wrong about him being indigenous .... but this illustrates my point.....­we really know nothing of this story. We just want to sprout our own assumptiouns fueled with a grab of the story. Fery few will follow this up to see what is really going on and will any one be the better for it?
I think i will follow it up though to see what really is the situation. I have a few friends in the Alice who have compassion in their hearts.

[Scryinglass]

I saw nothing in the video or accompanying article that even mentioned whether he was indigenous. Besides, what kind of excuse is that?

[Hallams]

The main point in my post was that other responses were showing behaviour towards the child that was equally or more disturbing than the childs behaviour. I posted twice because what i had to say would not fit on one post , so read them both and see that the issue i pointed to was that we only have a "news grab" of the real and complete story etc.

[Hallams]

What strikes me here is how news there days often seems to have the function feeding and provoking our own assumptions and prejudice rather than giving real information.
A quick read of the responses on the Huffington Post reveal people who's reaction is equally if not more disturbing, ie:

=====
"this child has some SERIOUS psychological problems, to say the least.

what the f^ck is wrong with his parents that he was out late at night, unsupervised?

he needs to be locked up, and i would question ever turning him completely loose on society at all.

rotten little sod. and his parents too."

==========

"I would not want to be around this little freak when he grows up. His parents should be beaten with a hot rake."

==========

"he's 7 years old and a budding seriel killer.a child that age shouldn't even want to come into physical contact with these reptiles let alone bash their heads in."

==========

[wolfgangmo]

Views like this are called a rush to judgement. While it can be a comforting position to take, and it is a way of dealing with a world that the reader may find either out of control or scary, it is also a phenomenon that is shared on both sides of the political spectrum.

The real thing to worry about is when the rush to judgement is translated from thought into action. I say let them think what they want as long as they pause and reconsider before they act.

[Haditup2here]

Another Jeffrey Dahmer in training.