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Teenagers charged after filming vape fumes forced into a black swan

Two boys appeared in Mandurah's Children's Court on animal-cruelty charges after a video showed them making a swan inhale vape vapor.

In Mandurah's Children's Court, two adolescents faced animal-cruelty allegations stemming from a social-media video in which they forced a black swan to inhale vape emissions. The incident occurred on an inflatable boat near Endeavour Island, where the boys first removed a fishing lure lodged in the bird's neck. Before freeing the swan, one teen allegedly restrained it, blew vapor from a vape into its beak, and slapped its head.

The footage was shared with friends and posted online. One of the youths pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary harm and wrote an apology; his lawyer highlighted his farm background and described the act as out of character. The magistrate ordered psychological reports for both boys, granted bail, and scheduled a follow-up hearing for next month, while the second teen has not yet entered a plea.

Why it matters

The case underscores how social-media-driven cruelty can lead to legal action and highlights the need for youth mental-health assessment.

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animal crueltyblack swanvapecourtpsychological reportbailvideosocial media