Latest News....New Court Date 22 June 2009.... more

*WARNING* the following information is distressing.

News Article.

HARDENED police officers have been shocked by the horrifying torture, mutilation and brutal slaying of a seven-month-old fox terrier pup "PEANUT" at Moranbah, Queensland, Australia.

Police have obtained video footage from a mobile phone that shows graphic images of the puppy yelping and howling in terrible pain as it is hacked to pieces.

Animal rights experts have described the case as one of the worst and most horrific in Australian history. Police allege that a pair of garden shears and a pocket knife were used to torture and kill the little puppy.

Moranbah police said the dog was a family pet and the owners were too distressed and upset to talk to anyone about it.

The pup's nose was cut off, its front right leg and rear left leg were cut off and it was decapitated. His stomach was cut open from neck to tail.

Police will say the dog was stolen from a residence in Railway Parade in Moranbah and was taken to a lookout in the town. Congealed blood and dog hairs were found on picnic tables at the lookout.

A three-part video series on a mobile phone shows the dog being tortured. The final stages of the video show the dog's mutilated body parts. The dog's body was found about 3.50am on Monday near the town's campdraft ground. It was dumped beside a road.

Police were attending a car accident when they discovered the dog's body. After seizing the mobile phone, police recovered a set of garden shears which had dog hair and blood on them. Police also took possession of the clothes worn by two men in the car, for scientific testing.

"Senior police officers were visibly shaken after viewing the footage. Police and the RSPCA say that if the allegations are true this could well be the worst case of animal cruelty ever brought before the courts in Australia," RSPCA's Queensland Chief Inspector Michael Pecic said.

"This is very, very disturbing," Mr Pecic said.
"For legal reasons this is really all I can say at the moment. But when you talk to senior police officers who have seen a lot of carnage in their time and they say it shocked even them, then you begin to get the picture."
Footage from the attack has been suppressed by police until the outcome of the court case.

The maximum penalty under the Animal Care and Protection Act for such an offence is $75,000 or two years in jail; however, the maximum penalty ever handed out has been a four-month jail term.

Both men were charged in the Mackay Magistrate's Court with stealing a dog, wilfully and unlawfully killing it, wilfully damaging a gate, and unlawful possession of marijuana, all at Moranbah on Monday.
The Daily, 22/10/08

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The two men accused, Jonathon (Jon) Connor Blake, 20, and Trent William Cunniffe 24, (the accused) did not apply for bail.

THESE MEN ARE TRYING TO PLEAD MENTAL ILLNESS TO REDUCE THE SENTENCE!

One the men, Trent Cunniffe has just been admitted to the Mackay Base Hospital's mental health unit, the Magistrate's Court was told yesterday."
Daily Mercury, 28/10/08
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17th November 2008

The cases against two men charged with torturing and killing a dog in Queensland's central highlands have been adjourned.

Jonathon Connor Blake appeared briefly in the Mackay Magistrates Court today on a number of charges, including animal cruelty.

Blake's lawyer told the court his client needed further psychiatric assessments at the Capricornia Correctional Centre and that he has been unable to get clear instructions.

About 150 people rallied outside the Mackay Courthouse to show their support for the owners of a puppy called Peanut who was tortured and killed in Moranbah last month.

Outside the court some people said the recent attacks on Peanut and another cat called Basil are very upsetting.

"For something like that to happen to Peanut and to Basil, I think it's just disgusting," one rally participant said.

The dog's owner, Danielle Neilsen, says she is heartened by the support.

"Now seeing it all come together and happen is a lot more touching to us, so we appreciate it a lot more that everyone has turned up," she said.

The case against Blake has been adjourned until next month, with the case against co-accused Trent William Cunniffe to be heard next year.
ABC, 17/11/08
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9th December 2008

RSPCA have released the 2009 calendar of Pets, put out by the Friends of the RSPCA to raise much-needed funds for a RSPCA animal shelter for the Mackay district.

The calendar is also in memory of all the pets who have crossed the 'rainbow bridge'- the dog term for death.

Peanut (the dog killed in Moranbah) and Basil (the cat killed in Mackay) and Popeye (the two-legged dog) are on the front cover.

There are only 2000 calendars available and they are selling quickly.

You can pick one up from most vets and pet shops in the region.

They are also available at Rockmans Caneland, Mount Pleasant and Porters and, of course, from all of the Friends of the RSPCA volunteers sitting collecting with their pets.

The calendars cost $10 each.

All the money raised will go towards funding the RSPCA animal shelter for the Mackay district.
Daily Mercury, 9/12/08

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15th December 2008

Taken from Rescued with Love Inc's website.

"Today I rang Mackay Magistrates court to see what was happening in the Cruelty case involving little Peanut.

The Magistrates Court were unable to tell me much, other than the case to be heard against Jonathon Blake was on the dock, but suggested I call the Police Prosecution dept, so I did that.

Explaining who I was and why I was calling Sgt Scott was terrific. She said yes Mr. Blake was in court today but it was adjorned again until 30 January. He was held in Remand until then.

His co accused Trent Cunliffe has had his case adjorned until 16 February. He is in a Mental Health facility awaiting his court date.

I was very pleased to know that Senior Council Graeme Page, who is involved with BLEATS (Brisbane Lawyers Educating and Advocating for Tougher Sentencing) was advising police who are basically prosecuting for the state.

Sgt. Scott said the maximum penalty was being sought, and 150 odd people gathered outside the courthouse again today.

The case is still receiving attention, and that is the best news."
Rescued with Love Inc's, 15/12/08

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30th January 2009

I went to the court case on Friday. Very disappointing, Jonathan Blake has been remanded until the 29th May where he will enter a plea at the new court date.

Hopefully we will get results then but now have to wait until May. But will be in the court.

Karen Neilsen (02/02/09)

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30 April 2009

Latest News:

The Court date on 29th May 2009 will only be a mention again on the case, as information is still being gathered.

A new Court date has been set for 22nd June 2009, and I have been told, they will be pleading no contest.

Karen Neilsen (30/04/09)

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Information & updates on Peanuts Case is also available at Rescued with Love Inc's website and on the Facebook Group called Peanut made by Peanuts owner Danielle.

Please sign the Petitions to advocate for Harsher Penalties for Animal Cruelty.

Please feel free to link the Peanuts Law website on your own website.