‘Prickly’ case for echidna accused

DORY ON HER OWN JOURNEY

IT’S the “prickly situation” that has quickly become a nightmare for an accused echidna thief.

Tyson Paul Bothur, 20, told a police prosecutor he was struggling every day since being charged with the theft of Piggie the echidna from a Gold Coast wildlife sanctuary last month.

Bothur was hoping to settle the matter at Southport Magistrates Court with a guilty plea yesterday, but expressed his frustration when told by Senior Constable Donna Minns the matter would be adjourned. Bothur is facing charges of animal cruelty and of entering a premises with intent over the alleged theft.

Piggie’s abduction from and subsequent return to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary created a social media storm last month.

Bothur subsequently quipped it was a “prickly situation” to media as he left his initial court appearance.

But his tune had changed yesterday, when he admitted he was hoping to put the matter to bed by pleading guilty to both charges and an unrelated drugs charge. Sen-Constable Minns told the court the animal cruelty charge was a serious offence and she needed time to seek comparative sentences to put before the court.

The matter has been adjourned until October 16. NEMO and Dory are packing their little fish bags, ready to depart Australia.

The fish who were captured on the Great Barrier Reef in Pixar’s 2003 animated movie smash – and captured the world’s hearts in the process – will begin their journey in Australian waters before swimming further afield in next year’s sequel,

When forgetful Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) is knocked out, she suddenly remembers her parents.

The only clue to their whereabouts is a random phrase Dory mumbles in her sleep: “The jewel of Monterey, California.” “Andrew (Stanton,

director) didn’t have any intention of making another film,” president of Pixar Animation Studios Jim Morris said while in Melbourne yesterday.

“But, it kept bouncing around in his head – what’s the Dory story? It’s different than

– it’s a movie about how you come to be comfortable in your own skin.”

Pixar has several other big sequels in the works, including