World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Woman admits killing 30 hamsters in Iwate animal cruelty case
A 20-year-old woman in Iwate admitted killing 30 hamsters at her first court hearing in Morioka on Oct.
23.
Prosecutors say she and a 36-year-old employee of Miyako Fisheries High School acted together at a hotel in Takizawa in March.
The woman stomped on the hamsters while the man filmed, and prosecutors say he sold the video.
She reportedly received about 40,000 yen for taking part.
She said she felt unable to refuse the man's request, while her lawyer argued she should receive a suspended sentence.
Prosecutors asked for a one-year prison term, calling the killing extremely cruel.
The court is due to give its verdict on Nov.
6.
A 20-year-old woman admitted in court to helping kill 30 hamsters at a hotel in Takizawa, Iwate Prefecture.
The case was heard at Morioka District Court on October 23, and prosecutors sought a one-year custodial sentence.
The woman said she could not refuse a request from a 36-year-old high school employee who was also charged in the case.
Prosecutors said she received about 40,000 yen, while the man filmed the killings and sold the video.
The defense asked for a suspended sentence, and the verdict is scheduled for November 6.
- Who
- A 20-year-old unemployed woman from Morioka, identified in one source as Haruka Fujisawa, and a 36-year-old high school employee.
- What
- The woman admitted to conspiring with the man to kill 30 hamsters by stepping on them.
- When
- The alleged killings took place on March 22. The first court hearing was October 23.
- Where
- A hotel in Takizawa, Iwate Prefecture.
- Why
- The woman said she could not refuse the man’s request. She received about 40,000 yen, according to one source.
Prosecution
Defense
Severity of conduct
Prosecution
Prosecutors described repeatedly stepping on the hamsters as extremely cruel.
Defense
The defense said the woman felt resistance but could not refuse the man’s instructions.
Sentence
Prosecution
Prosecutors sought a one-year custodial sentence.
Defense
The defense sought a sentence with a suspended term.
The woman and the high school employee allegedly killed 30 hamsters at a hotel in Takizawa.
The woman admitted the charges at her first hearing at Morioka District Court, and the case concluded that day.
The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict.
- Hamsters killed
- 30
- Location
- Hotel in Takizawa, Iwate Prefecture
- Defendant
- 20-year-old unemployed woman from Morioka
- Co-defendant
- 36-year-old Miyako Fisheries High School employee
- Prosecution request
- One-year custodial sentence
- Reward
- About 40,000 yen
3 sources
What people are saying
It is true.
I was afraid it would be scary if I refused when Mr. Kimura asked me, so I could not refuse.
The act of stepping on the hamsters without hesitation was extremely cruel, and showed no reverence for life.