A New Zealander’s plan to sell his amputated leg has been tripped up by police and an internet auction website.
Shane Torrance (42), whose tattooed right leg was amputated 15 months ago, wants to sell it to cover his debts and raise money for his daughter who has diabetes, The Nelson Mail reported on Thursday.
He wanted to auction the limb, which he keeps in a freezer, on the auction website Trade Me with a reserve of NZ$3 000 (about R11 900).
But the leg was withdrawn from the website within hours of being listed.
A shocked Trade Me business manager Mike O’Donnell said the sale of body parts is not allowed on the site, mainly because it is distasteful.
Nelson Bays police area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said police will be looking at the legality of Torrance’s actions.
“There’s probably a significant public-interest factor in this matter to scope out the possibility of it being an offence under the Crimes Act or the Human Tissues Act.”
The leg was amputated below the knee in February last year when it became ulcerated. Torrance has been a type-one diabetic since he was 20. — AFP