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.

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 Ingrid E. Newkirk

“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE

— Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind