Posted on 12/31/2003 12:32:03 PM PST by Holly_P
ATHENS, Ga. The Humane Society of the United States is asking for a thorough investigation into a report that three University of Georgia fraternity brothers beat, skinned and ate a raccoon.
"The senseless killing of a raccoon is certainly a crime in Georgia. It's a violent crime," Ann Chynoweth, a lawyer for the animal welfare group, said Wednesday. "We want it to be investigated."
The men had spotted the raccoon behaving erratically outside the Phi Kappa Psi house on Dec. 12. One hit it with construction pylon and shot it with a pellet gun in the fraternity's parking lot, Athens-Clarke County Animal Control officials said. Another skinned the raccoon, and a third cooked and ate some of its meat.
At least one fraternity member was treated for possible exposure to rabies, which can be fatal if left untreated.
No animal cruelty charges have been pressed against the men. Athens-Clarke County Solicitor General Ralph Powell, who will determine whether or not to file charges, did not return a phone call Wednesday seeking comment.
The three members involved will go before the fraternity's grievance committee after UGA's spring semester begins, said Larry Bales, fraternity president. They face possible sanctions from reprimands to expulsion from the fraternity.
"It was an isolated incident that happened to happen on our property," Bales said Wednesday. "Three members were out in the back parking lot acting foolish. We don't condone that type of activity."
The Humane Society has written a letter to UGA Interfraternity Council saying that those involved in killing the raccoon should be expelled from the fraternity, at the very least, Chynoweth said.
"The boys-will-be-boys excuse ... is certainly not a defense to animal cruelty," Chynoweth said.
A UGA Greek system official did not return a phone call Wednesday seeking comment.
Coons on my property get an eyeful of Brinkman Q-Beam, followed by a nice, cold pressure hosing. :-)
That's a darn shame! They'd be performing a valuable community service.
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