I think we should stop assuming that the parents are always to blame. as a parent who is raising four kids. I have to be out of the house before my kids go to school. Thank God they are very responsible, but I have to work to feed them. No one asked how the boy got to the Zoo, we should try to help.

C.Martinez , San Diego , California

Unless he has some kind of mental handicap, a 7 year old boy is old enough to understand that this is wrong, and young enough that his parents should have been keeping track of him. If the family is unable to control the boy's behaviour, he should be removed from their custody.

dana, Georgetown, USA

Violating social rules, aggression toward animals/children, property destruction (all relevant to this boy's behavior) are risk factors for future violence and psychopathy. While not everyone who does these things grows up to be a psychopath, they are serious warning signs that merit intervention.

Heather Ariyeh, oklahoma City, USA

Make him serve as a cage cleaner for the next 3 years at the zoo. He must atone for this tragedy and at the same time learn the value of animals from professionals. His parents should be charged for his crimes. If this had been me, my dad would have beat me into a comma.

Matthew, Kansas City, USA

This kid needs serious help, you don't do omething like this at 7 and end up a "normal" adult. The parents too need some discipline, why is this 7 year old out of their sight long enough to do this?

Cheryl, Tuxedo, USA

I am also a parent, what would you say if it was your child, would you still say the same things?.

Hennie Coetzer, Pretoria, South Africa

Conduct Disorder may lead to Antisocial Pers. Disorder and possibly Psychopathy

Bernardo Harboe, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

poor animals poor poor animals

caellan, auckland, new zealand

this child needs lots of love. The last thing, however, is to just give up on him now.

conor, Hollywood , usa

Just monitor the kid and keep a file on him, as soon as he is a threat to humans, throw him in a young offender's institute.

Howard, Manchester,

Mr Neindorf is right, the boys brother had been involved in an incident previously as well. Parents that let a child as young as 7 roam about on his own are not doing a good job of raising him. He is going to get worse, the boy needs help.

Alicia, Wellington, New Zealand

Yes, zoos should have proper security to keep animals in and people out. However, this boy committed a horrifying act, and he would probably do something similar under different circumstances had he not been able to get into the zoo. He needs some kind of therapy, at the very least.

Rachel, Boston,

The police spoke to the boy and his mother. Where is his father?

Joe, London, UK

A sad commentary on his parent's child-rearing abilities. They should be held liable for all damages and and losses to the zoo. Maybe this kid thinks this sort of thing is like a video game......

What a shame....

Gary, Yorktown, USA

How is it different to stepping on ants? Murder= murder.

Tony, Liverpool, UK

The fact that his older brother showed similar sadistic tendencies 5 years earlier suggests that the parents have failed to teach them about basic moral values or respect for themselves or anything else in the world. The parents should be prosecuted and the whole family have enforced psychotherapy.

Helen, Bath, U.K.

Beating animals to death with rocks is not doing as the zookeepers do, and if this child were properly parented he would know not to BREAK IN to a place he had no business being, or try to "feed" animals he knows nothing about. It's sick that anyone is even slightly OK with this.

Misty, Valparaiso, United States

This is by a 7 year old boy. I think the comment, 'It will get worse and worse is disgusting. A boy of 7 cannot be written off like that.I think the problem lies with the parents and the morals and values they have taught their child.This child obviously has problems but need some sort of counseling

Sean Brown, Selby, North Yorkshire

A "murderer?" Well, I think that is overstating things. I can recall when I lit fire to a huge turtle when I was about 12. I am now 51. When my mother heard what I had done, she gave me a beating which I still remember. Today, I am well adjusted without the intervention of a shrink.

Jason Bundrage, Muscat, Oman

I would defintely sue the boy's parents. Their son killed many different species of animals, some of them rare in captivity. The gravity of the situation calls for punishment hopefully as a lesson to others. So sad to know a 7 year old youngster could do something so abhorrent. Pity for him.

Ella Cote', Bellevue, WA, USA

First his brother attacks a croc as part of a group, and now this child scales a fence and bludgeons reptiles. Although the zoo should not be so easily accessible that a 7 year old can scale their fence, the parents of these two boys obviously need some family counseling with their children

Joni, USA,

I think the story and the comments are overblown. He is just a kid that killed animals. People kill animals all the time. What does everyone think this kid is going to be Jeffrey Dahlmer? The zoo keepers comment about how this will only get worse and worse is ridiculous too, he has no idea.

Ken, Dearborn, US

I don't think he is destined only to be a serial killer. I dated a guy in high school who loved shoot and torture cats. He also said often he had homicidal thoughts. He was very abusive and definitely has problems, but hasn't killed anyone that I know of. The kids needs help but is no criminal yet.

Cathy, Pennsylvania, USA

C'mon people, it's not about whether the croc is fed previously living animals... This boy would be going to prison for a good long time if he were older.

At the very least it's breaking and entering and 13 separate counts of criminal property damage... Probably animal cruelty as well...

Jayson, Waukesha, USA

Many children around 7 years old don't show remorse, but it isn't unnatural. Being around children every day, I've seen so many instances of equally cruel behavior to animals. A respect for life is learned and has a large part to do with maturation.

holly, OC, USA

I saw a similar situation where a boy broke into the Seattle Aquarium (nighttime) in 1977 and shoved the pool cleaning pole down the blowhole of the pet Killer Whale...killed it dead. I suggest you obtain restitution from the boys parents and also start a laboratory& reproduce these rare animals

howardhofelich, KAILUA KONA , USA

Yes, he's only 7... but his parents aren't! Why was a 7 year old able to unlawfully enter the closed zoo? Who was "responsible" for him at that time of the day? Seems to me we have serious parenting problems in this household. The parents/legal guardians should be held accountable.

Sandy, Needville,

"Jumping to conclusions that child will become a killer because he fed a crocodile with some live meat is absurd."
Tim, Sheffield, England

It was not 'live meat',actually Tim, the article says he "bludgeoned the giant lizards to death ". It is that action that indicates the kid may need help.

JimmiP, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Would any of you who think that this is not that big of a deal at 7 have done something like this, bludgeon large lizards then feed them to a crocodile? It is outrageous behavior. You can excuse a boy for breaking a window with a baseball, not for breaking in a zoo and killing animals.

JKT, Sloan, USA

You didnt mention his culture. You need to do a story on how the OZ government failed the aborigines. For generations we poured in money but our herats were for letting them do their own destruction. To the world we made an attempt...but in truth... we didnt care. Our said hearts..."Go away".

G Gibson, Sydney, Australia

What about the zoo’s security system? Where were the keepers/guards? How can the zoo allow a 7 year old kid to roam free within the animal enclosures?

The kid’s parents should do the suing. The zoo’s lack of due diligence put their son into harms way and potentially into a deadly situation.

Bobby, Salem, USA

I don't think that he was supposed to do that. Isn't this sort of behavior frowned upon, or outright against the rules?
Someone should his parents to stop allowing him to watch the Wiggles and Steve Irwin reruns, the one from the Australian Zoo.

Biff Johnson-Genius Commentator, Salem,

Why on earth are all the male comments so blase about this? This is not normal behavior. Check the psych profiles for any serial killer, you will find animal torture/cruelty and a disregard for the suffering of other living things. He also somehow left his house prior to 8am to do this?

Susan, Los Angeles, CA, USA

I truly believe this child and his parents need to seek professional psychological help. It is not natural for a child to slaughter animals without showing any remorse. Yes, children experiment with hurting animals, but most learn from their parents that this is unacceptable and cruel behavior.

Kim, Kentucky, USA

This is totally different than stepping on ants

Anouk, New York, USA

Does the zoo itself not have to bear some responsibility in this matter. After all, a 7 year old child shouldn't have been able to sneak into the zoo in the first place.

Vasil Makedonov, Skopje, Macedonia

My word, we certainly have come a long way! Most comments on are akin to the stone throwers in certain civilisations. Have a think before condemning a 7 year old boy who is being just that. He's feeding a croc just as he saw the zookeepers (or Steve Irwin) do. With a bunch of lizards, at that!

Walt Mouat, Alice Springs, Australia

Daniel from New York - A young child slaughtering animals without batting an eye-lid is a slight indication that, yes, there is a problem. We don't need to get our child Psychology books out for that one.

Matt, Hull, UK

i guess his playsation wasnt working....

tim, london, uk

With a boy that young, and his 'clamming up' about the incident when questioned by police, I find it hard to believe that the boy was not put up to doing this by someone. Young children around that age are generally innocent and carefree, not destructive and violent.

Alex, Marlboro, USA

the difference is that it was a seven year old boy smashing lizards heads then watching them being eaten by the crocodile besides that im surprised you read the whole article considering they said most of the animals killed were rare a rabbits sheep and chickens are very common

Name withheld, glen burnie,

There's a difference between killing ants and 4 legged pets. Killing a pet that isn't mortally sick or injured is crossing a moral line. This boy is old enough to know better. The article said he was 'expressionless'. That shows a disturbed mind. The whole family should pay and be in treatment.

phoebe, Somerville, usa

Those of you repeating "but I killed animals when I was a child" utterly miss the point.

What the child destroyed was not his to destroy.

It's the lack of respect shown towards that which does not belong to you. Something this child, his parents, and socialists in general, have no concept of.

Steve Lansberg, Colorado, USA

To "charles in fairfax, uk" --

John Muhammad was most definitely NOT acquitted of the DC sniper shootings. He was sentenced to death.

His young accomplice, John Lee Malvo, was sentenced to multiple life terms without possibility of parole.

Kathy, Bogalusa, USA

patrick henry, animals generally kill other animals for food not to torment and kill them for pleasure.

emeilie, malmoe, yea thats right hes just done something reprehensible and you call him a poor little boy?

if ever there was a case for corporal punishment this is it. he wouldnt have dared

will, grimsby, uk

It is absolutely amazing that so many people call this a "natural thing" and even "blame" television programs depicting nature having its way. On the nature programs, they aren't bludgeoning an animal to death and tossing it to a predator.

Natalie, New Orleans, USA

why are there so many apolagies being made for this kid? oh he must have autism, or be retarded or have a mental illness or be abused or not have a father or some other excuse.

he commited a crime that is without excuse, any decent parent would see this has to be punished beyond being grounded.

will, grimsby, uk

Patrick Henry of the UK and others like him are ignorant of the psychological phenomenon called the McDonald Triad that predicts future violent antisocial behavior: harming animals, setting fires and wetting the bed (docs look for all three).

I am sad for these animals, the keepers and the visitors

Chris, Brooklyn, NY, USA

Where were the parents? Why are the enclosures of such a height and width where any hoodlum could have access to these beautiful creatures? This child and his parents need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law! What an outrage!

Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA

I guess a lot of you never killed ants with a magnifying glass as a little kid. Children do stupid, mean things. We as adults need to teach them what is right behavior and wrong behavior.

This doesn't mean he's going to be the next person on a MOST WANTED poster.

Lacinda, Norfolk, USA

As far as I read, the boy was taking good care for the croc. He was not cruel to Terry, he was just feeding her.
Every day other animals are killed in order to feed mrs. croc: rabbits, or chickens, or sheep, or so.
So: what makes the boys behaviour so much more cruel?

verena, Utrecht, netherlands

Where were the parents when all this was going on? A seven year old boy should be watched. The parents should pay the zoo for the animals.

Linda, Warwick, USA

Where were his parents while he was doing this? Clearly this is a very disturbed child and it makes one wonder what motivated such wanton cruelty. He should be put into a secure hospital while his mental state is investigated. This is not the first family offences of cruelty. What next?

shirley hiscox, huntingdon, england

I wonder what is going on in that poor little boy's home.

Emelie, Malmoe, Sweden

I have a friend who poked a pencil through a lizard at age seven with no remorse. I was horrified. He is now a successful businessman and has a nice family.

Killing other animals is a natural instinct. Watch David Attenborough's films if you suffer from Bambi syndrome.

Patrick Henry, Bristol, UK

first and foremost they should figure out what the child thought about this whole thing to determine if there is any real problem.
But he clearly lacks a strong father figure

Daniel, New York, USA

Time to send in Supernanny! Now that would be an illuminating show

Randy, New York, USA

Harming of animals as a child is a precursor to violent behavior against other people as an adult.

Scott, Chicago, USA

In the middle of the night a seven year old calmly killed then fed 13 animals to a crocodile showing no fear and no remorse. Then got in the cage with the crocodile.

Sounds like a death wish to me. When a seven year old does something like this, they need immediate psychological help, not prison.

Marie, London, UK

A 7 year old child (1st or second grade) walking alone on his way to school goes through a public area that is full of drunks and druggies, climbs over a fence, breaks into private property and kills lizards that other children had been throwing rocks at for years. I see many problems here.

Joanne, Everett, USA

This boy should get some help soon.. who knows what he'll do when he's older ??????

Anne, Brisbane, Australia

The behaviour + the blank face may indicate some kind of emotional / psychological problems (perhaps autism). If it is a mental illness, the parents are not to blame (only if they abused / severely neglected him). They only should be blamed for making it possible for him to leave home at night.

Jeanne, Lille, France

Kid shouldn't have done what he did & needs a good licking & taught better, BUT he didn't do anything not done by adults on Shark Week or other shows were they feed mean critters. Doesn't mean he'll be Dommer. We've sissyfied little boys so much anytime they step over the line we freak out.

Mike, Everett, USA

The zoo should be facing a lawsuit for not protecting children from getting so close to a crocodile. It's outrageous more safeguards were not taken at the zoo. The child certainly needs intensive therapy due to his animal cruelty.

Anna Goodwin, New York City, USA

well they should be charged according to how much it takes to care for the pets and how much time resources money, it would take to not only find new rare reptiles, but also the time and money it cost to get those animals to the condition and age these ones which were killed at.

Jusitn, Alberta, Canada

I think you guys are off the rocker - he is SEVEN. Okay, at 7 you want him to realize that certain animals don't get fed to certain animals? But on nature shows he sees the lion kill the gazelle, and the shark eat fish. Give me a break - you guys haven't a clue about child psychology. Get a Life!

Brian , Orlando , USA

It was the boys way of saying sorry to Terry for his brother throwing rocks at him all those years ago

John, Mount Gambier, Australia

Liberalism has bred a society that is too permissive.

Work camps and forced labor are not bad ideas, if they are used rehabilitatively.

This kid, his brother, and I suspect his parents need to get a taste of such a program.

Justin, Boise,

Us Americans? Actually, I handle my children by watching them and disciplining them when they do something wrong. Last time I checked, my children weren't breaking into Zoos and feeding the animals to each other.

Heather, San Diego, USA

While no excuses should be made for this boy's behavior, come on - be real! Boys are wired for adventure...they often act on dares from friends. Yes, restitution must be made, but be careful of such extreme conclusions about his future. A boy with this kind of initiative has enormous potential.

Joseph, Dallas, TX, USA

Killing spree? Makes it sound like the boy is a mass murderer or something. As wrong as it is, animals are not people and the first part of the headline is grossly misleading.
I agree with Vakerie - there is a sad story behind this boy's behavior and he needs positive intervention.

M Meyers, Erie, USA

I think his parents should be charged.... sickening.

Andrew, Canada,

When I was 7 I fed ants to "pet" spider I found in the school playground. I'm now doing a PhD in plant genetics and may one day contribute to feeding those starving.
Jumping to conclusions that child will become a killer because he fed a crocodile with some live meat is absurd.

Tim, Sheffield, England

I think the laws should be changed for circumstances like this. The boy bludgeoned the reptiles before throwing them to the crocodile. It shows that he had some thought about what he was doing, it wasn't an accident, and therefore he should be punished as if he were an adult.

Keira, St. Joseph,

What do they normally feed crocodiles? Lettuce? Or do they feed them other animals? The kid was probably just emulating some of the things he's seen on TV on the Animal Planet, or the Crocodile Hunter.

Red, Cheyenne, USA

Interesting the remarks dismissing the killings are from men. Since his older brother also did somethng similiar, I would say have a look at the home life. Most young boys do try killing something small, but then feel terrible remorse afterward, as several posters said. This kid went on and on.

Gail, St. Louis,

I hope this boy gets some psychological help. Perhaps the entire family needs therapy, since the older brother tortured one of the animals previously, it might not be an isolated incident.

Susan, Boston, USA

It is incredible what a 7-year old is capable of. I would think at this age, he would be innocent in every way, but i guess children have their demons also.

I feel bad for the parents if his behavior is extreme at home, and I feel bad for the boy, who will probly be worse in the future.

bryar, marietta, USA

Here's an opinion WAY out the norm:

What if the 7 year old was trying in some twisted way to un-do what his brother had done to the crocodile years before? We can be sure that he had heard about that incident when he was younger. Maybe feeding the croc was his way of making amends?

Chuck Lane, San Francisco, USA

maybe the kid just thought he was "feeding" the croc. I mean, crocs eat other animals. the zookeepers don't feed them veggies. i think many kids become criminals because PEOPLE criminalize everything they do.

nc, houston,

Strange behaviour indeed, but the croc is gonna have to eat something anyway. I don't see an animal abuser - I see a future zookeeper.

Craig, Grand Rapids, MI

That must have been so horrible for the poor animals. I almost cried when I read that article! Imagine smashing rocks on their heads and then feeding them to a crocodile...It just does't bear thinking about. But the little boy... he might not have even realised the seriousness of what he was doing.

Lizzie Hoyle, Halifax, UK

Just to correct a detail above: John Allen Mohammad was convicted and sentenced to death in the State of Viriginia, where he currently awaits execution. He killed a total of 17 people in 10 states. His juvenile partner, Lee Boyd Malvo, also was convicted and given multiple life sentences.

Mark, Eureka, California, USA

I bet you dollars to donuts that this will be blamed on Steve Irwin's display of feeding crocs whole chickens and such and that this family will make the excuse for the boy that he was simply emulating Steve. The article doesn't mention a word about how the parents are going to do to rectify this.

Martin Riggs, San Diego, USA

The kid could have just ordered a super meat lovers dinner and accomplished the same torture and inhumane treatment of animals, he just decided for a more hands on approach.

Look it up and you won't feel as sorry for the zoo animals as the meat animals!

A, Phoenix, USA

If parents want the responsibility that comes with raising children, they should take responsibility, and be held responsible, for their children's actions. People who cannot control their children need parenting classes, enforced by law.

Marc, Paris, France

This story mortifies me. My condolences to the zoo!
Definitely, that child needs be kept under serious watch and punished by his parents.

Lee, Phoenix, USA

This child has serious problems -- cruelty to animals at an early age is a sign of emotional problems that often leads to violent crimes in adulthood. He needs serious psychological counseling -- not punishment -- at this age and fast!!

Ken, San Diego, USA

The whole episode is sick, sick, sick!!! He definitely needs help but he needs to be held accountable for his actions as well. Poor, poor animals!!!

Cynthia Reid, Bear Creek, USA

I'm confused - it said: "The boy killed 13 animals in total, including a large turtle, bearded dragons, goannas...." “He was lucky because if he got in there with the goanna, she would have torn him to pieces,” Mr Neindorf said."
So how did he kill the goanna or get near it to feed it to the croc?

Michael, Arlington, VA, USA

Can you say serial killer in the making? This is the second son who's lashed out on the animals? Seriously, where is child services? This family needs to be looked at more closely. What is up with the younger generation? You can't blame "modern society"- blame parents!!!

D , Los Angeles,CA, USA

What was done was horrific, but there are some worrysome clues in the article that described this 7 year old boy as "expressionless" and "blank-faced". Before we embark on a yet another popular witch hunt, could we perhaps accept that he may be autistic ?That is no fault of his own or his parents.

Richard, Jersey,

Northern Territory law is correct in absolving children under 10 from criminal prosecution. What is required for the child is the same psychiatric intervention the state would provide an adult who demonstrated unstable behavior. Surely a disturbed child's needs are equal?

david James, People's Valley, United States

Respect has to be taught. Parents should be held responsible. At that time of day where did the parents think their 7 year old was.

Judy, Tullahoma, TN, USA

How embarassing for this childs parents! It's SO important to know where your children are! That boy could have been severely injured by one of those reptiles, and nobody would have known. Empathy is something one must be taught. Obviously, his parents have some BIG catching up to do.

Candice, Twentynine Palms, USA

A child killing or torchering animals is a very BIG warning sign. This trait is a trait of many serial killers and the parents should be very concerned. This child needs to have receive punishment from his parents worse than what he would face in jail. He also needs to start seeing a psychiatrist.

Stephanie , Vancouver,

the kid is 7. are you guys saying you never stepped on an ants nets? little kids do this stuff all the time and become well balanced adults. that said, one must question where the parents were when their kid was in the crocodile enclosure. still, some kids are quick, people just rush to judge

jack jones, brisbane, australia

This sort of thing just gets worse over time.

In Washington DC several years ago, the 14 year old companion of John Allen Mohammad "assisted" him in crime by shooting to death (sniper style)over ten persons in about two weeks with a hunting rifle.

Mohammad was aquitted because the youth did it

charles, fairfax, uk

It sounds like it is time for a psychological exam of this little one. Killing without an expression...that's possibly a budding socio/psychopath. Get the kid some HELP now and hope for the best

Wendy, Mech, USA

When I was 9 years old (25 now) a friend and I spotted a tiny lizard on the pavement and without thinking I gave it a kick. I chased it to where it landed and it was dead. I felt so guilty I remember it to this day.

Alex, London,

Definitely needs serious evaluation in a secure environment.
If this were my child I would fear for my safety and that of others around.

Bill Atkins, Rehoboth Beach, USA

I slaughtered reptiles as a child and I don't have any psychological issues that I'm aware of, thank you very much. I had a grand old time smashing minnow's with rocks or watching my turtles feed on live fish. Though I never broke into a zoo...

brad, houston, usa

Where's PETA? This is the fourth story I've read this month about kids and animal cruelty: the kitten burned to death, the pit bull burned to death, and the endangered crocodile found around U Miami (a bag of chum found next to the crocodile, whose head and tail were chopped off). DISGUSTING.

Jess, State College, PA, USA

Tell me again how a 7 year old kid breaks into this kind of place?

James, Asbury Park, NJ, USA

The parents should be sued, no doubt. I would certainly question the parents very, very closely.

Tom, St. Louis,

I'm not saying it was right, but if he just killed and didn't torture, perhaps he was doing it for the purpose of feeding the crocodile, more than for the pleasure of killing.

This boy's from the outback. He's probably seen livestock slaughtered. Speculation that he'll kill people is premature.

Bill, New Jersey, USA

-- "Well how can that be when two parents have to work to get by and our government is more worried about the mid-east problems they helping its own people? " --

this has nothing to do with the middle east and this happened in australia not the US. his family is 'known' to the authorities .

josh, sydney,

Reading this made me feel phsically sick, that child is a disgrace. There is no excuse for what he did.

Jen, Liverpool,

Get a grip, people. This is unfortunate, but only in the sense that it means the loss of zoo exhibits. In the wild, animals like these kill and eat one another all the time. And the Aborigines kill and eat them, too. Be happy that these creatures lived protected lives for as long as they did.

Geoff Miller, Boulder Creek, CA, USA

What has happened in this boy's life to make him behave this way? That's what I want to know. This is not normal behavior.

sMitty, Sidney, ME, USA

This is much like the news reports over the past decade - the rising trend of youths, particularly males, who have carnal knowledge enough to perpetrate "adult" crimes. The parents bear most of the responsibility, however so does our "modern" society today, which all but encourages this behavior.

Binyamin, Dover, USA

This is an incredibly distressing story. He needs to be held accountable for his actions -- at least in some way -- now. His parents need to understand the severity of his behavior, and the developmental path he is on. I feel so sorry for those animals. The security at that zoo needs examination.

Luke, Los Angeles, USA

There was a boy here in the USA that started out kiling small animals. No one intervened. No one punished. No one offered help. His name was Jeffrey Dahmer. Good luck down under.

Victoria, Anderson, IN, USA

To those of you who think this is normal boy behavior, please don't have children. I have an 8 year old son and he loves animals. My husband and I have taught him to respect nature. Someone needs to take a look at the parents. "Apples don't fall far from the trees".

Karen, Milwaukee, USA

Why is a seven year-old boy alone long enough to do something like this and no one have a clue where he is or what he is doing? Isn't it required by law for children under a certain age be provided with adequate supervision? The whole thing is disturbing!

Stephanie, Princeton, IN, USA

The only people to blame are the parents. Tired of the excuse- want that if both parents have to work what are they to do?! They are ultimately responsible for their child(ren), what they do and how they are at this young age. What is a 7 year old child doing out alone? Wake up!

Erica, Schenectady,NY,

Why would you say that the kid is as much of a victim as the animals he killed? A victim of WHAT?

This specious reasoning that excuses all behavior and avoids any responsibility for members of pet groups for their own actions will come back and bite you HARD one day.

This child is no victim.

Lore, Tyler, USA

Where the hell were the parents? They are the ones who need to be punished.

James, Ottawa, Canada

Steve in Chicago.....you're kidding right? Wow!

Ronald Wanner, Philadelphia, USA

I think he may have been trying to make up his brother's attack on Terry by feeding him.

Still, this lad'll bear watching.

Ken, Mineral Point, WI., United States

Maybe they cannot prosecute him but he should not be allowed to go back to his family as if nothing happened. Whatever kind of child services exist in the area, they should take custody of this boy.

Kay L, Cary, USA

The problem with disciplining kids today is you do not dare spank them or you will find yourself in jail so you can thank the govenment for that. I think its a bunch of bull that you are to keep your kids in order but are told how to do it. When i was a kid i was spanked and never turned out bad.

William, Hustontown, USA

Everyone needs to calm down. All we have here is a young boy just trying to feed a crocodile. This whole world is becoming
so PC that a child can’t even go and feed animals to the animals, a natural process that happens every day on this Earth.
It’s basically the zoo’s fault for leaving them out.

Steve Amostophelous, Chicago, USA

That sure is the American attitude isn't it...... "But it isn't mom and dads fault, they have to work to get by, and the government won't help." Heaven forbid people start taking responsibility for their own actions.

Scott, Seattle, USA

Teach the boy understanding and appreciation. With love and support, he might not be a hardened criminal in coming years.

Charlotte, Springfield,

I think it is difficult to make judgements until the boy has been analyzed by a competent person. There is obviously a problem. As a child I had no desire to kill animals. I have read that children torturing animals can result in adults who torture people.

Richard, Santa Paula, US

I really don't care how young this kid is, he needs severe punishment. So do the parents. This is unbelievable. I think it's safe to say he's on the path to a wretched adulthood.

Erin F, NYC, United States

'I would have a psychological evaluation done on this is child and also keep a close watch on him.'

It looks like the zoo keeper has already taken care of that:

“He will just get worse and worse and worse, by the time he’s 10 he will be a hardened criminal,” Mr Neindorf said of the boy. "

Christina , West Linn OR, USA

Are you kidding me? A hardened criminal by the time he is 10? Has anyone ever meet a 7 yr old boy or 10 yr old boy? Let's not blow this out of proportion. He needs a good spankin for sure, but come on. This is stupid. Maybe a place with dangerous reptiles should be more secure than that...

James, Houston, USA

Psychological help, huh? Who is this boy accountable to? No one, apparently. Not to his parents, not to the State. That's the reigning philosophy of the world today. Well, God is watching and when you exile him from the culture this is what you get when man is left to his own devices.

Stephanie Press, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Sue the family and ban the kid from the zoo

shrip, wilmington, usa

I would have a psychological evaluation done on this is child and also keep a close watch on him.

pat, helenwood, usa

I see lots of people saying...government and parents should do this and that...

Well how can that be when two parents have to work to get by and our government is more worried about the mid-east problems they helping its own people?

food for thought...

Brian, Oklahoma City,

Oh geez amend the law to punish 7 year olds? You want to amend the law, amend it so you can punish the parents. The kid is 7. He is the victim here as much as the animals are.

Sean, Orlando, FL, USA

I dont care how young the "child" is, he should pay for what he did. Why was a 8yr old able to do such a thing with so much hate and malise. Another piece of proof that the kids of today have no disapline at home. Sort your offspring out!!

Charlene, LOndon, UK

His parents can pay financially for the loss and time in jail the kid can't legally do.

Terry, Greensboro,

So much for big brother government standing up for what's right and protecting people...

Greyson, Vancouver, WA,

This is what happens when stop disciplining children and allow them to see a constant stream of violence and indifference on television and on the movies.

The law must be changed so that young children can be held accountable for actions of gross violence. This was not an act of ignorance!

André, Portland, USA

I am not sure that this kid is quite as unusual as he is being portrayed not that I know much about him. Don't get me wrong he is at one end of the normal distribution (and I hate what he has done) but loads of boys seem to like killing small animals - it must be wired in somewhere.

Bill, Bedford UK, United Kingdom

It seems to me that this young man has something less than desireable for parents. Why have they failed to teach this boy some responsible behavior? Maybe because they themselves do not have any. It also seems to me that the laws in your nation are a bit behind the times.

Vern, USA, USA

He needs to receive intensive psychological intervention before its too late. And if it is too late he needs to be carefully monitored and perhaps live in a group home where his special needs can be attended to, and others can be kept safe from him because he will be watched by trained professionals

Katherine, Massachusetts, USA

This totally outrageous! It is true that the boy need tons of psychological help; but more importantly, the boy's parent need to be held accountable for his unspeakable actions. They need to be fined heavily and place the boy in an alternative school so he cannot potentially harm other kids.

Susan, Austin, USA

Horrifying. Is this 7 year old trying to live-up to his big brother's expectations? Filling his shoes? These parents should be held accountable if the child can't be. They need punishment as much as he needs psychological intervention. Sounds like the whole family could use a good dose of therapy!

Erin, Albany,

They need a high voltage electric fence surrounding the zoo, like in Jurassic Park.

Kate, Charleston, United States

Not only should the family pay restitution to the zoo and the entire family, including the boy, seek psychological help, this heinous crime should serve as a wake-up call for the Australian government to consider revising the law so that anyone is liable for criminal offenses, regardless of age.

Jason, Hawaii, USA

I think it's foolish, mad, really, that the law would absolve absolutely, criminals merely for the fact that they are young. Society needs to set the bar and protect the law-abiding. This scenario is the sickening result of immoderation in the criminal law.

Cynthia, Tucson USA,

I feel more sorry for this very disturbed boy than for the animals. He is clearly in need of psychological intervention before it's too late to save him, and other people! He killed for the pleasure of watching those animals eat each other. Very worrisome. What is his family life like?!

Valerie, OKC, USA

That's just sick. He needs psychological help.

Michelle, Louisville, KY, USA

Such behavior is indicative of psychological problems. Children who torture/abuse animals are disturbed and grow-up to be very sick adults.

Patrick, Houston, USA

Maybe if children were thought by their parents to respect animals, instances like this would not occur.

Louise, Northampton,