Harsh laws against small animal abuse are needed immediately to protect small animals from sad*sts like this hamster torturer! Words cannot describe how evil this monster is and how these tiny hamsters didn't deserve to suffer by his evil hands! D: This animal killer needs to rot in jail for a very long time! >:-/ Not only that but it's disgusting how both Youtube and Instagram allowed him to post photos and videos of the disturbing torture! Shame on these heinous companies who do not care about animals and do nothing to remove animal cruelty content on their sites!
https://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/kelowna-mans-alleged-hamster-torture-prompts-peta-response/
Kelowna man’s alleged hamster torture prompts animal rights group response
PETA is calling for PetSmart to stop selling live animals after a Kelowna man allegedly tortured three hamsters he bought there
Michael RodriguezJun. 11, 2020 10:30 a.m.Local NewsNews
WARNING: This story contains graphic content
An American animal rights organization is urging a large chain of pet stores to discontinue its sales of live animals following the arrest of a Kelowna man accused of torturing and killing three hamsters.
Leighton Allen Labute, 20, was charged on May 25 with three counts of killing or injuring an animal and three counts of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, stemming from an alleged May 2019 incident.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claims Labute purchased the hamsters at a PetSmart store.
A video posted to a YouTube account believed to belong to Labute around the time of the alleged incident, a PetSmart box and three hamsters are prominently displayed. The title is “1 Kid 3 Hamsters.”
The description of the video simply reads “pin stabbed, drowned, microwaved,” though no such content is shown.
“This man posted videos of himself tormenting and killing gentle hamsters he says he purchased at PetSmart, which will sell animals to anyone who can pay,” said PETA senior vice president Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA is calling on PetSmart to help prevent acts of cruelty like this from happening again by ending its sale of animals.”
In a letter addressed to PetSmart CEO J.K. Symancyk, PETA asks the company to assess its practices and consider that the animals it sells are “completely vulnerable to the whims of anyone who has a few dollars to buy them.”
The Kelowna Capital News has reached out to PetSmart for comment.
The YouTube account featuring the hamsters consists largely of violent claymation videos of anthropomorphic sculptures and dolls depicting gore and rape.
An Instagram account with over 7,000 followers, which includes Labute’s first and last name in the bio, shows similar content. The first post appears to have been created on May 1, 2016.
A video of the alleged torture of animals is reported to have been posted on Reddit recently, leading to an RCMP investigation.
“The funny thing about Reddit, it forces people to watch the things you do and ruins their day,” a Twitter account also believed to belong to Labute posted on May 4.
The Kelowna RCMP said they were informed of the video on May 14 and linked it to Labute after further investigation.
Labute was released after a bail hearing on May 25. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 25 to consult with his counsel.
READ MORE: Suspected social media accounts of accused Kelowna hamster torturer emerge
READ MORE: Kelowna man charged with animal cruelty
https://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/social-media-accounts-of-accused-kelowna-hamster-torturer-emerge/
Suspected social media accounts of accused Kelowna hamster torturer emerge
Leighton Allen Labute, 20, is facing six charges related to his alleged torture of a hamster
Michael RodriguezMay. 26, 2020 12:00 p.m.Local NewsNews
WARNING: This story contains graphic content that some may find disturbing.
Unsettling social media accounts have emerged since the arrest of a Kelowna man accused of torturing a hamster and posting the video online.
Leighton Allen Labute, 20, was charged on Monday (May 25) with three counts of killing or injuring an animal and three counts of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, stemming from a May 2019 incident.
An Instagram account with over 7,000 followers, which includes Labute’s name in the bio, consists largely of photos of anthropomorphic clay sculptures and dolls depicting gore and rape. The first post appears to have been created on May 1, 2016.
Black Press Media has chosen not to name the account due to the graphic nature of the content.
A YouTube account, also thought to belong to Labute, contains similar content, as well as vulgar discussions of his sexual fantasies, including his wish to ‘lose his virginity to a sex doll’. One video on that account, dated May 14, 2019, shows a man playing with three hamsters. In the video, the man states he bought the hamsters recently.
The description of the video simply reads, “pin stabbed, drowned, microwaved,” though no such content is shown.
A video of the alleged torture of animals is reported to have been posted on Reddit recently, leading to the police getting involved.
“The funny thing about Reddit, it forces people to watch the things you do and ruins their day,” a Twitter account also believed to belong to Labute posted on May 4.
The Kelowna RCMP said they were informed of the video on May 14 and linked it to Labute after investigation. Kelowna Capital News has reached out to Mounties for more information on the social media accounts.
Labute was released after a bail hearing on May 25. He is scheduled to appear in court next on Aug. 25.
https://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/kelowna-man-arrested-after-allegations-of-animal-cruelty/
Kelowna man charged with animal cruelty
The 20-year-old Kelowna resident remains in custody
Twila AmatoMay. 25, 2020 2:58 p.m.Local NewsNews
UPDATE: 3:34 p.m.
Court records name Leighton Allen Labute as the man charged with animal cruelty offences.
Labute is facing three counts of killing or injuring an animal and three counts of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, stemming from a May 1 incident.
The 20-year-old appeared in court on May 25 and remains in custody.
————
ORIGINAL:
Kelowna RCMP is investigating a local man for allegations of animal cruelty.
Police said that on May 14, they were notified of a social media account posting disturbing images of what appeared to be animal cruelty towards a hamster.
The Kelowna RCMP General Investigation Section linked the account to a local man after investigation. The 20-year-old man has been arrested and remains in custody.
The full findings will be referred to the B.C. Prosecution Service for review and charge consideration.
Police said the incident remains an active investigation and no further information will be released.
If you know anything about this crime, you are asked to call the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
