'His only mistake was wanting his crackers': Owner demands justice after emu viciously killed
A family is reeling after two people broke into an enclosure on their hobby farm south of Brantford, Ont., and killed one of their pet emus.
Two-year-old McTavish was one of five birds in the pen on Wednesday night. His owner, Shannon McCarrell, says her four emus and one ostrich were spending the night outside instead of in the barn for the first time in a while because of the warm weather.
“I was sleeping and my teenage son burst into my room and said ‘McTavish is dead,’” McCarrell said.
From his wounds, McCarrell believes someone hit McTavish over the head with a blade and then snapped his neck. She thinks he likely came to the edge of the enclosure thinking the intruders were bringing him treats – his favourites are Cheez-It crackers.
“Some people are going to say it’s just a bird, but they’re a part of my family,” McCarrell said.
“They didn’t deserve this and he deserves justice because he didn’t do anything wrong. His only mistake was wanting his crackers.”
Nothing was stolen, no other animals were injured, and the motive behind the crime remains unclear.
Shannon McCarrell has had McTavish since he was just a few days old. (Submitted)
McCarrell has always felt safe on the property, but that’s now changed.
“They were 100 yards from my husband and my children who were in the home,” she said. “So if they’re able to do something this vicious to an animal, it could have been my family too.”
McCarrell’s security camera captured two people outside the emu enclosure before McTavish was killed.
Ontario Provincial Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident, noting that causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is punishable with up to five years in jail.
McCarrell says McTavish and her other emus kept the family sane during the pandemic. (Submitted)
McCarrell is urging anyone with information to contact police.
“If anybody knows who did this, please come forward and give somebody some closure,” she pleaded.
In the meantime, she and her other birds, including McTavish’s mate Wallace, are trying to move forward without him.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.