Michael Macartney, 50, confessed to the BBC his role in an extreme monkey torture network.

A ringleader in a global monkey torture network exposed by the BBC has been charged by US federal prosecutors.

Michael Macartney, 50, who went by the alias “Torture King”, was charged in Virginia with conspiracy to create and distribute animal-crushing videos.

Mr Macartney was one of three key distributors identified by the BBC Eye team during a year-long investigation into sadistic monkey torture groups.

Two women have also been charged in the UK following the investigation.

Warning: This article contains disturbing content

Mr Macartney, a former motorcycle gang member who previously spent time in prison, ran several chat groups for monkey torture enthusiasts from around the world on the encrypted messaging app Telegram.

  • MilitantVegan@lemmy.world
    5·
    3 months ago

    If you’re familiar with trophic levels, you would know it’s literally impossible for a majority of the planet’s population to be carnivorous. The population levels of species in one trophic level are limited by the population size of what they eat. Primary producers and herbivores must always outnumber omnivores and carnivores.

    And when you look at the full breadth of the harms caused by humans eating animals, it clearly is an abnormal practice. Just because something is popular, doesn’t mean it’s normal. Doing something every day that is completely contrary to our own natures, our own wellbeing, the wellbeing of all the other intelligent beings we share this planet with, and the planet itself, is grotesque and strange in the extreme.

    • rusticus@lemm.ee
      2·
      3 months ago

      Homo sapien is traditionally an omnivore. GTFO with your “normal” and “contrary” arguments.

    • gimpchrist @lemmy.world
      1·
      3 months ago

      See this is the thing I’m pissed off about though… we don’t get to eat the animals that are murdered… a good extreme majority of us cannot fucking afford the meat that is on our grocery shelves… we’re not eating animals… we can’t afford to eat animals… they’re just slaughtering animals to throw them in grocery store dumpsters… it’s not an 'us, problem… …so why the fuck are you yelling at us, when you should be yelling at The giant factory Farms and the governments who allow people to overslaughter these animals, put them on a shelf in a store, let it sit and rot while no one affords it, and then throws it into a dumpster at the end of the week… why aren’t you yelling at them?

      Seriously I’m fucking sick of it and I’m fucking hungry… all I eat is God damn potatoes and fucking rice and fucking peanut butter and I hate your stupid vegan food I’m starving and I fucking hate beans. I just want a fucking steak but I’m not allowed to cuz I can’t afford it and it makes me a total fucking asshole I guess, to want to eat food.

      • MilitantVegan@lemmy.world
        2·
        3 months ago

        What kind of rice? Plant based foods can be significantly less expensive than animal products if you get them in their whole food forms. Brown rice might be a little more effort to cook but it’s a lot more filling and nutritious. and in general whole grains are going go be a lot more filling than refined sources.

        Leafy greens are known to slow metabolism, so if you can include them they will help you feel satiated for longer, and help your body use your nutrients more efficiently.

        If you’re able to order anything online or find a grocery store that carries them, soy curls and tvp are bean-based meat alternatives that are extremely easy to cook. Prices on those vary though. Nutritional yeast is also great to have because it not only loads your food full of protein, but also adds a delicious cheesy/savory flavor. And it might not be the healthiest choice, but a big bag of msg is probably the least expensive way to give all your meals a good savory kick.

        And try not to give up on beans. Out of all foods, beans are correlated with the longest lifespans. Try all different kinds, including lentils which are generally easier to cook. Few foods are less expensive than beans, so it’s worth learning to love them.

        • gimpchrist @lemmy.world
          1·
          3 months ago

          Bro… I can’t afford to eat meat… do you think I can afford your weird alternatives? Stop trying to tell me how to eat.

          No! You know what, it’s a new day… I’ve been bullied into being stressed out by people like you for far too long this is a new type of social media and I’m going to block you and I’m going to enjoy it and then you’ll never have to exist to me ever again that’s great goodbye

      • Sizzler@slrpnk.net
        1·
        3 months ago

        Quick reminder, you are having this rant in a thread about people who just want to torture animals…