A California Security Guard Pays a High Price for Beating an Opossum

July 2002

When a Tustin, California, security guard was charged with cruelty to animals for beating an opossum to death with a flashlight, PETA sent a letter to the Orange County prosecuting attorney urging a vigorous prosecution. The man pleaded guilty to the charges and received a sentence of three years’ probation, 60 hours of community service, a payment of restitution, psychological counseling, and a $300 donation to the SPCA. He also lost his job as a security guard.

Read about the link between animal and human abuse.