Jacque Talbot
A GRUESOME image of a decapitated bunny allegedly found in a popular Costa del Sol park has horrified expats and local campaigners.
The rabbit – which appears to be the same one seen in an image published in the Olive Press’ last issue – was apparently found with its head and paws cut off.
It is one of three rabbits that have been attacked in Paloma Park, in Benalmadena, along with a number of birds, including chickens, doves and budgies.
Local resident Cruz Lopez shared a number of the images online saying she had found the injured or dead animals while cleaning up the park.
The leader of local green group Benalmadena es Verde is now demanding urgent action despite admitting it was not clear how they had died.
“It’s so horrific,” she told the Olive Press. “In one week we found two seriously injured rabbits and one beheaded.
“It is awful and we are demanding the council take immediate action.
“We certainly didn’t need a house of terror for Halloween this year – a walk in our local park is horrific enough,”
Expats were quick to branded the unknown perpetrators as ‘pure evil’.
“This is disgusting behaviour,” commented Gillian Hands.
“I just don’t understand how anybody can be so evil and cruel!”
It comes after eyewitnesses told the Olive Press a fortnight ago how they had reported seeing a teenager abusing animals in the park.
Reader Phil Boyd, a tourist from Ireland, revealed: “I watched this teenager and his two friends kicking the chickens and ducks.
“He also tried to wring this poor little rabbit’s neck. I grabbed it from him and chased him and his accomplices off. I’m sorry to say I think it’s a regular occurrence.”
The full extent of the butchery was revealed when Benalmadena es Verde spent a day cleaning up the park at the weekend.
The group has now called in police and demanded action from the town hall.
“We need proper surveillance, and parents to better educate their children to love animals.”
IF SPACE: When professional profiling of criminals began in the US in the 1970s, one of the FBI’s most consistent findings was that childhood animal cruelty appeared to be a common behaviour among serial murderers and rapists.
Many notorious serial killers – including Jeffrey Dahmer – began by torturing and killing animals when they were children.
Have you seen any animals being attacked? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es
