Beresford resident Barry Mitchell discovers two chickens dead after youths beat and tortured family pets

A Beresford resident is mortified after discovering his chickens had been tortured for fun by youths, killing two and leaving the rest injured or traumatised. When Barry Mitchell attended to his eight ISA brown chickens at his commercial property on Baker Street on Thursday, he discovered the two deaths and when checking the camera footage overlooking the coop, he saw the unthinkable. On Wednesday afternoon, youths entered the coop and tortured the animals in a wicked onslaught, launching large boulders at them and beating them with garden tools. The incident comes after RSPCA WA data revealed Geraldton as the regional animal cruelty hotspot in WA for 2023-24. According to Mr Mitchell, youths pushed down a section of fencing on Johnston Street to access his yard. He said the CCTV camera was removed by the youths after noticing they were under surveillance. He believes the killings happened after letting them out of the coop. “It’s not your normal crime, it’s just senseless,” Mr Mitchell said. “There were rocks there that weren’t from my yard and rocks in the coop, where they’ve obviously thrown the rocks. I had a rake and a broom and they must have whacked them with that. “Usually they (the chickens) are fine when I go in there to feed them, but today I went in and moved the broom and they went crazy … they need counselling.” A third chicken was missing, leaving Mr Mitchell worried it had been stolen and tortured. Thankfully, his neighbour returned it looking “a bit worse for wear”. “I think it’s just sad that the juveniles tend to think that’s an enjoyable pastime.” Geraldton police OIC Sen. Sgt Chris Martin said juvenile offending was a top priority and police were actively investigating the incident. “This type of behaviour, which is associated with animal cruelty, is concerning given the nature of the actions of the children involved. It’s disappointing to see juveniles acting in such a manner against defenceless animals,” he said. Mr Mitchell’s chickens are family pets enjoyed by his grandchildren when they visit him. REPORT CRUELTY 1300 278 358