4 dolphins shot to death in Calif.

[brentspeak]

Source: Associated Press

4 dolphins shot to death in Calif.

By NOAKI SCHWARTZ, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 2 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES - Four dead dolphins have washed ashore with fatal bullet wounds and fifth with lacerations on its pectoral fin, said authorities who have offered a reward for information on the slayings.

The long-beaked common dolphins were all discovered between Carlsbad State Beach and Oceanside Harbor between May 29 and June 5. Photos showed their normally sleek gray skin mottled and stained with blood from the bullet wounds.

"It's a horrendous thing that happened," said Mark Oswell, spokesman for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. "That someone would go out there and shoot four dolphins."

Necropsies revealed that the dolphins, which were healthy with bellies full of fish, may have been shot at the same time with the same gun. Four had between one and three bullets of the same caliber in the same part of their heads.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070615/ap_on_re_us/slaughtered_dolphins

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(Remember that 1970's sci-fi movie, "Day Of The Animals", where all the animals of the world take their revenge on humans...?)

[Fridays Child]

1. This makes me ill--almost literally.

:cry:

[barb162]

21. Same feeling here. What a waste of beautiful animals.

[FarLeftRage]

2. Out Hunting again!

rimjob is out hunting again!

[jgraz]

3. When are we going to get serious about this kind of shit?

Whoever did this needs to go away for a very long time. Of course, they'll probably only get a fine and probation.

[slackmaster]

5. "Whoever did this" is likely a commercial fisherman and won't get caught

They have been doing things like this for a long time.

[Canuckistanian]

13. True.

I heard a program on CBC radio about an environmentalist who spent some time on a fishing boat.

He said that the fishermen would shoot at anything that appeared on the horizon. No reason. They would all just grab their guns and start shooting.

Commercial fishermen are a menace to wildlife. To them, everything in the sea is either money in their pocket or worthless - and needs to be destroyed.

[SteveM]

16. This isn't the behavior of commercial fishers I know.

[KittyWampus]

38. As someone who grew up with and still lives among commercial fishermen- the characterization you

offer is nothing like the reality I've experienced.

Yes, there was a time when the haul seiners would gather up the money fish and leave the rest to rot on the shore.

But shoot at anything that comes across the horizon?

[SteveM]

15. And it isn't "hunting," either.

[Solon]

4. Horrible, but I have a question, why is it called a necrotopsy and not an autopsy?

I figured both do the same thing, using science to figure out what killed an animal, just wondering if there are differences between the two.

[Zoigal]

6. Necropsy is

a synonym of autopsy,,,both referring to a postmortem examination. We normally
use " autopsy " when referring to humans, i think.

[Solon]

7. Just looked it up on wikipedia...

Apparently "auto-" means self, as in self examination, or, humans performing postmortem examinations on their own species, so necropsy means performing the same procedure on animals.

I do find the headline somewhat unusual, usually the phrase "shot to death" refers to humans, not animals, at least in journalism, usually animals are simply "killed" or "hunted" legally or not.

[loudsue]

9. I'm glad they used "shot to death"....it makes it sound more like what it is...

murder.

:kick:

[Solon]

11. I'm not criticising the headline, in fact I find it to be superbly accurate...

I just thought it was interesting.

[Cha]

8. I'm so sorry this had to happen!

Reminds us of what monsters are lurking.

I love Dolphins! RIP, mateys~ O8) O8) O8) O8)

[bliss_eternal]

10. OMG...! How horrible.

:cry::( :cry:

What kind of sick individual would take out FOUR beautiful animals like this, in the prime of their life?
Dolphins are SO intelligent. How could....? I'm at a loss of words... this is so disturbing.

Editing to add that I am kicking and recommending this. People need to know about this cruelty. :grr::mad:

[aquart]

12. Where is CSI when you need it?

I want that sick fuck in jail. But first I want to beat him and kick him and hit him with hard objects.

[villager]

14. I can't wait 'til "Day of the Animals" comes to pass...

And I will be on the side of the bears.

[junior college]

17. They were probably shot from a boat

but possibly from a pier or from the shore with a scoped rifle. Fisherman seems likely but even some kids on a motorboat could have done this.

[Control-Z]

18. Could soneone have confused

a dolphin's fin with a shark's? Doesn't seem possible. I know. I'm really reaching on this one.

[jberryhill]

20. Oh it's possible...

I've seen people run screaming from the water when a pod of dolphins swims by at the beach.

Of course, shooting at sharks doesn't make a world of sense either, since they are mostly harmless - especially if you are in a boat.

[leftyladyfrommo]

26. It was probably just assholes. We seem to have an abundance

of them.

Here in Kansas City some total asshole just opened the window and tossed out 4 kittens onto the road. I guess they were in a carrier and it broke on impact.

One kitten was killed immediate but the woman behind him managed to pick up the other 3.

Personally I think people who engage in cruel behavior - no matter who is on the other end of it, children, elderly, animals - should have to do serious jail time.

[proud patriot]

19. This is awful

they are so trusting .. what kind of beast would do this to these
beautiful animals? :(

[StarryNite]

22. It sounds like blood lust to me.

It makes me sick!

[treestar]

23. Why do I jump to the conclusion that whoever did this are freepers?

[leftyladyfrommo]

28. Because it sounds just like something some dumb rednecks

would do and think it was funny.

Kind of like the dumb rednecks that got their rocks off shooting peoples pets after Katrina.

[liberalla]

24. So sad and unjust

I hope they get some leads on who did this. Violence against and/or cruelty to animals is a very serious matter.

[shenmue]

25. Terrible!

The person wasn't even fishing to eat, they just seemed to have killed for the random "fun" of it. :grr:

Thanks for the mention of the movie--I haven't seen it yet, that seems pretty interesting.

[AngryAmish]

27. Who wants to bet this gets more play then the last 4 murder victims in LA

There will be huge rewards, press conferences, etc.

People suck.

[Coventina]

29. Oh for heaven's sake, not this AGAIN!

Please tell me how often people murder other people as opposed to murdering dolphins? The uniqueness of the crime makes it newsworthy. Sadly, humans being violent to other humans is run-of-mill human behavior.

You said one thing true: People DO suck. It would be great if four murders in LA was newsworthy, but it's not. Senseless violence against creatures who mean us no harm is proof that we are rapidly degenerating to a level below that of our fellow creatures.

[JanMichael]

32. There seem to be a number of DUers

who have to ration their outrage, sympathy and empathy. Unfortunately, they only seem to have enough of those three emotions to cover human death.

[silverojo]

42. I love animals, too, but --

I think the poster's point was that murder of humans should get equal attention...the fact that people consider murder "run of the mill" shows just how depraved our society has become.

As for the dolphin killers--if they're not brought to justice, may they rot in hell! :mad:

[AngryAmish]

35. My point proven

[Coventina]

36. Pray tell, what exactly IS your point? That you are compassion challenged?

:shrug:

[Anwen]

30. How sick!!!

This makes me so angry! How could someone do this?? :-( Very depressing.

[Trehuggr]

31. I have no words

These are one of the most harmless creatures on the planet. how could anyone intentionally harm one.

whoever did this needs serious help

[pitohui]

33. yeah help 'em over a bridge over a creek w.out a paddle

i don't think there is much evidence that people who get a kick out of mindless cruelty to animals can be helped, they just need to be punished so that maybe they'll catch on that such actions have consequence

don't know if there is much chance of catching these particular lowlifes tho

[KamaAina]

34. Compare and contrast with the numerous reports of dolphins helping humans

who were stranded at sea.

Strike that; these POS's are NOT "humans". FReepers, possibly, but not humans. :grr: :banghead:

[alarimer]

37. This happens a lot to marine mammals

especially those like dolphins and sea lions that are perceived to be "stealing" fish from commercial fishermen. Sea lions are notorious for this. They actually climb on the boats and are tough to get rid of. Fishermen are allowed (or at least were) to scare them off but, to my knowledge, not allowed to kill. In fact it is a federal offense carrying a huge penalty under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

[BreweryYardRat]

39. Whatever bastards did this need to be gutshot.

Filth.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

40. If they'd only had guns to defend themselves

[roguevalley]

41. God will remember this. If I were them, I would be afraid to die.

[Haole Girl]

43. WTF is the matter with people?

I keep asking myself this question. To date, I have no adequate answer(s).