ASHENEWS reports that the cruelty, torture, and killing of animals by a man identified as Enenie Nwa Ite of Ovoko Ohagu village in Enugu state have drawn the ire of an International Animal Protection Group who is calling for an investigation.
Enenie who claims to be the “High Chief” of the village has been posting several graphic videos on Facebook that depict animal torture and killings by himself and other people.
The group under the auspices of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has sent a letter today to the Enugu State Police Commissioner, Kanayo Uzuegbu, and the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun calling for an immediate investigation, the removal of any animals found in the man’s possession, and an arrest to be made.
The videos show Enenie nwa Ite and members of his group beating and starving animals, slowly roasting live animals over open fires, cutting open pregnant animals and torturing and killing their fetuses, slowly splitting and torturing puppies to death while they scream in agony, and setting living animals on fire, among other atrocities.
PETA said that the letter became necessary after the most recent video which was posted this week showed the abuser crushing a bound kitten who frantically struggles to escape.
The letter pointed out that the conduct in the videos appears to explicitly violate Section 495 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act which prohibits torturing animals and causing them unnecessary suffering, and Section 450 which prohibits the unlawful wounding and killing of animals.
PETA also expressed concern over the request in the videos urging viewers to send him money, along with requests for others to illegally harm animals.
“According to leading mental-health professionals and law-enforcement agencies, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to the community at large.
“These gruesome videos depict extraordinary cruelty by someone who appears to be mentally unbalanced and sadistic and who needs to be stopped.
“PETA is calling on authorities to intervene to lock up this violent abuser for the sake of vulnerable animals and because studies show that such wantonly cruel people pose a danger to the entire community,” PETA Senior Vice President Jason Baker stated.
