I'll post the story here... but I'll warn you... it's not for the weak stomached. I hesitate to post it, actually, but unless you know the full extent of the cruelty and why they are asking for signatures on their petition for a maximum penalty... you may pass up the opportunity to do the right thing for the memory of Peanut, his family... and other animals that may benefit from stricter animal cruelty laws and penalties.

Remember... this could have been YOUR dog. :/

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At the suggestion of Sam, I'm editing to including the contact information before the story.

What follows is not pretty, though there are no pictures, THIS IS YOUR WARNING that this news article it is sure to affect and offend you... as a loving pet owner. It will probably raise a lump to your throat, put you off your dinner, and cause you to hug your corgi to you and cry into their fur. No, I'm not kidding.

If you don't wish to hear what happened and just want to help, the links are here:

To sign the petition for the courts to assign the maximum penalty for the men who did this:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/2147025

For those on Facebook... here's the link to join the support group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36602960671

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The News Article
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HARDENED police officers have been shocked by the horrifying torture, mutilation and brutal slaying of a seven-month-old fox terrier pup "PEANUT" at Moranbah.

Jonathon (Jon) Connor Blake, 20, and Trent William Cunniffe 24, (the accused) did not apply for bail.

Police have obtained video footage from a mobile phone that shows graphic images of the puppy yelping and howling in terrible pain as it is hacked to pieces.

Animal rights experts have described the case as one of the worst and most horrific in Australian history. Police allege that a pair of garden shears and a pocket knife were used to torture and kill the little puppy.

Moranbah police said the dog was a family pet and the owners were too distressed and upset to talk to anyone about it.

The pup's nose was cut off, its front right leg and rear left leg were cut off and it was decapitated. His stomach was cut open from neck to tail.

Police will say the dog was stolen from a residence in Railway Parade in Moranbah and was taken to a lookout in the town. Congealed blood and dog hairs were found on picnic tables at the lookout.

A three-part video series on a mobile phone shows the dog being tortured. The final stages of the video show the dog's mutilated body parts. The dog's body was found about 3.50am on Monday near the town's campdraft ground. It was dumped beside a road.

Police were attending a car accident when they discovered the dog's body. After seizing the mobile phone, police recovered a set of garden shears which had dog hair and blood on them. Police also took possession of the clothes worn by two men in the car, for scientific testing.

"Senior police officers were visibly shaken after viewing the footage. Police and the RSPCA say that if the allegations are true this could well be the worst case of animal cruelty ever brought before the courts in Australia," RSPCA's Queensland Chief Inspector Michael Pecic said.

"This is very, very disturbing," Mr Pecic said.
"For legal reasons this is really all I can say at the moment. But when you talk to senior police officers who have seen a lot of carnage in their time and they say it shocked even them, then you begin to get the picture."
Footage from the attack has been suppressed by police until the outcome of the court case.

The maximum penalty under the Animal Care and Protection Act for such an offence is $75,000 or two years in jail; however, the maximum penalty ever handed out has been a four-month jail term.

Both men were charged in the Mackay Magistrate's Court with stealing a dog, wilfully and unlawfully killing it, wilfully damaging a gate, and unlawful possession of marijuana, all at Moranbah on Monday.

I have been told by another concerned animal lover this little dog tried to escape on the bloodied stumps away from these people who slaughtered it in the end.

THESE SADISTIC LOSERS ARE TRYING TO PLEAD MENTAL ILLNESS TO REDUCE THE SENTENCE!
One the monsters, Trent Cunniffe has just been admitted to the Mackay Base Hospital's mental health unit, the Magistrate's Court was told yesterday." Daily Mercury .

** NEXT COURT CASE MONDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2008 **

The initial court case has gone ahead with a great turn out of around 150 people and very positive support from the community. Cars drove by the court sounding their horns, cheering for the demonstrators and thanking them.
Channel 7 and ABC were there (hopefully we will see some coverage on the news tonight) and the police were a wonderful help closing off the footpath for the rally.

Unfortunately the court case has been re-scheduled for the 15th December 2008... keep signing the petition and try to get to Mackay for the next rally on Monday 15th.

A massive thank you to all the caring people who travelled from afar, to take a stand for Peanut outside the court. The rally was peaceful and everyone sends their sincere appreciation for all the dedicated animal lovers who supported our cause.

The town is buzzing and the court/magistrate saw the concern and outrage by our protesters today. Todays contribution will go along way in getting the maximum penalty for these two monsters!

A heartfelt thank you to every one of you.


Again...

To sign the petition for the maximum penalty for the men who did this:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/2147025

For those on Facebook... here's the link to join the support group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36602960671