Wallaby reported dead from ecstasy and booze at disco
October 20, 2010 -
From The Sydney,Austrailia Morning Herald
Detectives in Dublin have questioned a circus owner about allegations that a wallaby died after being plied with ecstasy and drink at a birthday disco.
The marsupial was let loose among more than 150 revellers dancing at the Clarion Hotel in Liffey Valley, west Dublin, to the theme tune of Australian television show Skippy The Bush Kangaroo.
Outraged animal welfare campaigners sparked an official garda investigation when they passed on complaints about the alleged mistreatment of the animal.
Advertisement: Story continues below Alexander Scholl, owner of Australian Super Circus Sydney, 500 metres away from the hotel, told officers on Tuesday he had two wallabies - Skippy and Sydney - but dismissed claims either was used in the incident.
"They think it was one of my wallabies but it definitely was not. I would never lend them out to a nightclub with all the noisy music," he said.
"Someone told them the wallaby was given an ecstasy tablet and now it is dead. I said if it is dead then it is not one of my wallabies. I showed them Skippy and Sydney."
Officers launched an inquiry after complaints were passed on from a witness at the 30th birthday celebrations and others who saw a video uploaded to Facebook.
They have been handed CCTV footage from the hotel.
Hotel manager Garret Marrinan said a duty manager became suspicious when he noticed a commotion around the dance floor in a hired function room about 11pm on Saturday.
"By the time he got down through the crowd, the animal and the box were gone," he said.
"We had no idea where it came in or how it got out of the hotel. The whole thing was all a bit upsetting to be honest with you."
The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) said it had received five complaints including from one person who claimed to be at the party.
DSPCA operations manager Orla Aungier said the marsupial was more likely a wallaby than a small kangaroo, because they were easier to buy in Ireland.
"At some point during the party, what we believe to be a wallaby was brought on to the dance floor and it was being handled as Skippy The Bush Kangaroo was played loud as the back track," she said.
"We have also been told that after the party, the animal had died. That is only alleged, but the most important thing for us is to find out where the animal is and if it is OK."
The circus owner said he holds the keys for the trailer in which Skippy and Sydney, both 5½, are kept at night.
"I put them in the box, me myself, so no one else has touched them," he said.
Mr Scholl said he bought his wallabies in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, earlier this year.
Wallabies are classified as exotic animals in Ireland so there is no legislation on their breeding or ownership.
The DSPCA said websites were also offering zebras and emus for sale.
The marsupial was let loose among more than 150 revellers dancing at the Clarion Hotel in Liffey Valley, west Dublin, to the theme tune of Australian television show Skippy The Bush Kangaroo.
Outraged animal welfare campaigners sparked an official garda investigation when they passed on complaints about the alleged mistreatment of the animal.
Advertisement: Story continues below Alexander Scholl, owner of Australian Super Circus Sydney, 500 metres away from the hotel, told officers on Tuesday he had two wallabies - Skippy and Sydney - but dismissed claims either was used in the incident.
"They think it was one of my wallabies but it definitely was not. I would never lend them out to a nightclub with all the noisy music," he said.
"Someone told them the wallaby was given an ecstasy tablet and now it is dead. I said if it is dead then it is not one of my wallabies. I showed them Skippy and Sydney."
Officers launched an inquiry after complaints were passed on from a witness at the 30th birthday celebrations and others who saw a video uploaded to Facebook.
They have been handed CCTV footage from the hotel.
Hotel manager Garret Marrinan said a duty manager became suspicious when he noticed a commotion around the dance floor in a hired function room about 11pm on Saturday.
"By the time he got down through the crowd, the animal and the box were gone," he said.
"We had no idea where it came in or how it got out of the hotel. The whole thing was all a bit upsetting to be honest with you."
The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) said it had received five complaints including from one person who claimed to be at the party.
DSPCA operations manager Orla Aungier said the marsupial was more likely a wallaby than a small kangaroo, because they were easier to buy in Ireland.
"At some point during the party, what we believe to be a wallaby was brought on to the dance floor and it was being handled as Skippy The Bush Kangaroo was played loud as the back track," she said.
"We have also been told that after the party, the animal had died. That is only alleged, but the most important thing for us is to find out where the animal is and if it is OK."
The circus owner said he holds the keys for the trailer in which Skippy and Sydney, both 5½, are kept at night.
"I put them in the box, me myself, so no one else has touched them," he said.
Mr Scholl said he bought his wallabies in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, earlier this year.
Wallabies are classified as exotic animals in Ireland so there is no legislation on their breeding or ownership.
The DSPCA said websites were also offering zebras and emus for sale.
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