Not disclosed – 8 Juveniles

Fish killed in exploding bottle prank

LaCrosse, WI

August 6, 2006

  (Photo courtesy of Dick Riniker, LaCrosse Tribune)  On Sunday, August 6^th, Renee Jacquet was on her way to take her husband to the airport when they noticed a clear plastic sports drink bottle floating in the decorative pond in their front yard.  Jacquet plucked the bottle from the foam-covered pond and it exploded in her hand.

Jacquet stated she could feel the pressure on her chest, and her husband who was about a foot away, felt it on his.  The bottle had been filled with a dangerous combination of household cleaner and crumpled pieces of aluminum foil.

While uninjured, she stated they lost 12 fish worth more than $700 – three 14-inch butterfly koi, four large goldfish and five goldfish she was pet-sitting for the Coulee Montessori School.  The cleaner that was in the bottle reduced the 8 by 5 foot pond to a dead zone.  What concerns her most is that the next person to be hit by this ‘prank’ could be hurt.

LaCrosse Police Lt. Bob Berndt stated the exploding bottle was an isolated incident and those involved have been caught.  Eight teenagers were responsible and Jacquet stated that she wants to see them step up to their consequences of their behavior.

Reference:

LaCrosse Tribune