Boys allegedly slap swan, force it to inhale vape fumes

Boys face Mandurah court after allegedly slapping swan, forcing it to inhale vape Mon 3 Aug 2026 at 2:38pm Two teenage boys have appeared in court charged with animal cruelty after they allegedly forced a black swan to inhale fumes from a vape in a video shared on social media. The pair appeared in the Children's Court in Mandurah this morning, accompanied by their parents and extended family. The court heard the pair were travelling in an inflatable boat near Endeavour Island in Mandurah, south of Perth, when they noticed the swan had a fishing lure lodged in its neck. They approached the swan and brought it aboard where one of the boys removed the lure, the court heard. But before setting the bird free, the other boy allegedly grabbed it by the feet, restrained its neck and blew vapour from his vape into the swan's beak. It is alleged the boy then slapped the swan across the head before setting it free. The same boy filmed the encounter and distributed the recording to several of their friends before posting it on social media. 'Extraordinary, terrible offence' The boy who removed the fishing lure pleaded guilty to one count of causing an animal unnecessary harm and wrote an apology letter explaining he takes full responsibility for his actions. The boy's lawyer said his client lives on a farm caring for animals and said his "out of character" behaviour deeply shocked his family. The magistrate ordered a psychological report for both boys. "I wish you didn't need to be here," she told the pair. "I wish the swan wasn't treated in this manner … you have participated in an extraordinary, terrible and serious offence. "It would be false on my behalf not to order a psychological report." The pair were granted bail and will face court again next month. The other boy has yet to enter a plea.