A man who ripped the head off a kookaburra at a Perth pub in front of horrified children has been fined $2500.The man killed Kevin – a cheeky kookaburra known for stealing food – at Parkerville Tavern last month. His lawyer described the bird as “a menace to public safety”.The $2500 fine is the maximum for the offence of “unlawful take of fauna”.The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said it was the first time a person had been fined the maximum amount for the offence since new laws came into force on January 1.

The man was named earlier this month as Daniel Welfare, who had reportedly fled the country following a barrage of death threats for killing Kevin.Mr Welfare’s lawyer, Ross Williamson, said he had issued restraining orders to two women who he accused of being part of an “online vigilante campaign” against Mr Welfare.”I’ve told people to stop threatening to kill, harm or rape my client,” Mr Williamson told 9News.

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Mr Williamson said at the time it was also important to consider his client was a “bushy”, and he had information relating to Kevin’s previous behaviour at the Parkerville Tavern.”The kookaburra is an invasive species in WA,” he said.

“Until recently you could shoot them with impunity and people used to do that and get a community service award for doing that sort of thing. “This particular bird I have reports about. It has attacked children. It’s injured the faces of children… this bird is – or was – a dangerous nuisance animal and the Parkerville Tavern should have done something to deal with it.”Staff at the Parkerville Tavern previously said they were deeply saddened by Kevin’s death, and he had been a beloved visitor to the pub who would routinely snatch food from patrons.Mr Williamson also criticised the state government’s role in commenting over his client’s matter.

“I noticed the Police Commissioner, with the Police Minister at his side, called a press conference saying they are going to prosecute my client over the demise of a pest – a harmful, nuisance bird,” he said.”I hear nothing about the police investigating and prosecuting people for making threats to harm, kill and rape my clients.”I call on the police to do that – to investigate this criminal vigilante.”

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