Author: itsboutcrime

A homeowner’s security footage captured a controversial moment in Westbrook, Queensland, back in 2022, when a Toowoomba Regional Council worker appeared to lure a cat from a driveway—before issuing a $280 fine for a roaming pet.

The video, recorded on the property of Julie and Steven Stephens, shows a council officer in high-visibility uniform approaching the driveway with a clipboard. Off camera, two cats can be heard or seen reacting to her presence. The worker then stepped backward toward the street, appearing to draw one of the cats out to the footpath. Once the cat followed, she picked it up and walked to her vehicle across the road.

Steven Stephens, who watched the event unfold on his security system, rushed outside to intervene. He managed to retrieve the cat before it was impounded—but not before being slapped with a fine.

The incident was one of several disputes the couple had with council officers over their pets—eight dachshunds and at least two cats. Before leaving, the worker reportedly told Mr. Stephens she would return with police to seize all but two of their dogs, citing local pet limits.

Mr. Stephens acknowledged they exceeded the legal dog limit by six but explained his wife depended on the animals for emotional support following a traumatic car accident that left her with severe injuries and ongoing mental health issues.

“She needs those animals,” he said. “They help with her anxiety.”

The couple was so distressed by the encounter, they began looking to sell their home and move to a larger property in the bush.

At the time, Toowoomba Regional Council stated they would review the worker’s body-worn camera footage. The council also reminded residents that, under Queensland law, pets must remain confined to their property at all times.

A heart-stopping scene unfolded on Lake Havasu on April 26 when a speedboat, pushing the limits in a record-breaking attempt, launched into the air and violently flipped.

Amazingly, both racers survived the crash and walked away with only minor injuries — a near-miraculous outcome given the circumstances.

The 10,000-horsepower vessel was tuned for an attempt to set a new speed record when disaster struck.

Speedboat Magazine’s Ray Lee shared his thoughts on the crash, noting that the team had high hopes of making history that weekend.

Fellow competitors say credit for the racers’ survival belongs to the engineers who built the boat.

The last thing you ever want to see is a crash, especially something as horrendous as that, said Jeff Clark, a fellow competitor and longtime boating enthusiast who has participated in shootout events for the past five years.

Clark explained that at such extreme speeds, drivers have very little time to react.

At that speed, it doesn’t take much. These tunnel boats are designed to ride on air, skimming over the water like they’re on rails. But if too much air gets packed under the nose, it can lift the front — and at those speeds, once that happens, you’re airborne, he said.

Despite the terrifying accident, the racers’ survival stands as a testament to both the boat’s design and the resilience of the speedboating community.

The family of Simon Nellist, a diving instructor tragically killed in a shark attack off Sydney’s coast last year, has remembered him as a “gentle, kind and wonderful human being.”

Mr. Nellist, originally from the UK and living in Wolli Creek, was swimming at Little Bay just after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday February 16 when he was fatally attacked. His death marks Sydney’s first fatal shark attack since 1963, when a similar tragedy occurred at Sugarloaf Bay in Middle Harbour.

In a statement to the BBC, Mr. Nellist’s family described him as a “proud Cornishman” who had found a second home in Australia. They praised his talents as a photographer and his deep love for the ocean and nature.

“Simon was a cherished fiancé, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He had a rare gift for connecting with people, always making time for others and earning their trust and respect,” they said. “We will miss him terribly.”

Known for his daily swims at Little Bay, Mr. Nellist was a familiar face in the local community and an active member of the Scuba Diving Social Club in Sydney’s south. His social media accounts are filled with breathtaking underwater photography, reflecting his passion for marine life.

Life savers described the injuries sustained by Mr. Nellist as “catastrophic.” Following the attack, beaches across Sydney’s eastern and southern suburbs were closed on Thursday as authorities searched for the shark and any additional remains. The beaches were reopened on the Friday.

That same day, local residents gathered for a vigil in Mr. Nellist’s honor at The Coast Chapel in Little Bay.

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet extended his sympathies to Mr. Nellist’s family, saying, “Our hearts are with you at this difficult time. It reminds us all of the fragility of life.”

Authorities, including police and the Department of Primary Industries, have the authority to destroy a shark if it poses an extreme threat to public safety. However, the preferred approach is to tag and track the animal rather than kill it.

Marine scientist Dr. Vanessa Pirotta of Macquarie University noted it was unlikely the shark responsible would ever be found. Speaking to the ABC, she explained the estimated 3-meter-long shark had probably already left the area.

“Shark incidents like this are extremely rare,” Dr. Pirotta said. “While large sharks do occasionally appear near our beaches, they are capable of traveling vast distances and can easily move on.”

She suggested the shark may have been drawn to the area by ocean currents, a hunt for prey, warmer waters—or simply passing through when the tragic encounter occurred.