Pub promises end to mouse-eating
A Brisbane pub at the centre of a mice-eating scandal said it was unaware of the "appalling incident" and promised to end so-called Jackass competitions. The Exchange Hotel in the heart of the city was the scene of a pub competition in April in which live mice were chewed up and spat out by contestants. The incident outraged the RSPCA which wants to prosecute the two men involved for animal cruelty.
RSPCA chief inspector Byron Hall said those involved in the competition in which the pair were challenged to bite a mouse in order to win a holiday faced fines of up to $75,000 and two years in prison. The Exchange Hotel issued a statement condemning the incident and promising an end to the Jackass competitions, modelled on the US TV show and movie in which participants perform stupid stunts and gags. "We are embarrassed this incident occurred at our hotel," said the hotel’s senior manager Scott Agnew. "The offensive part of the promotion on April 14 was conducted without the knowledge of our senior management and after this incident was brought to our attention we immediately made changes to stop such unacceptable behaviour." Mr Agnew insisted the pub was working with the appropriate authorities and making changes where necessary.
| "Mice, is it? Damn. That's yucky. Can we get squirrels instead?" |
"Management have cooperated fully with the RSPCA in their investigations into this unacceptable incident," he said. "We have now significantly tightened our management procedures to ensure this type of shocking incident cannot be repeated." The RSPCA said it was still seeking the man who chewed up the mouse to win a $500 prize, but had interviewed the other competitor.
Queensland Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk urged anyone with any information to contact the RSPCA. "All animals deserve respect," he said. "How we treat animals is a measure of how civilised our society is. Chewing a mouse and spitting it out is not entertainment, it is barbaric." |
