A guy in New Jersey was jailed after allegedly decapitating a seagull for taking his daughter’s French fries.
On Monday, July 22, the North Wildwood Police Department issued a press release stating that the event occurred on Saturday, July 6, at Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks.
Police attended to a “animal cruelty incident,” in which witnesses reported seeing a guy, later identified as 29-year-old Franklin Zeigler (29) of Cape May, New Jersey, allegedly decapitate a seagull.
According to court documents, Zeigler allegedly ripped the seagull’s head after the bird attempted to grab his daughter’s french fries. According to the site, he then asked personnel for a trash bag while clutching the dead bird.
The North Wildwood Police Department reported that when investigating the incident, Zeigler “was irate and uncooperative,” which resulted in his “arrest for Disorderly Conduct & Resisting Arrest, both Disorderly Persons offenses.”
He was additionally charged with third-degree animal cruelty after a follow-up investigation that involved the Humane Law Enforcement Office and a review of “statements made by Zeigler on the scene as well as available photographs and witness statements.”
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Zeigler was “placed on a summons” and later released while awaiting his court date, police said.
“He is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the North Wildwood Police Department stated in a press release, encouraging anyone with additional information about the case to come forward.
The Animal Welfare Institute defines animal cruelty as “inflicting harm, injuring, or killing an animal.”
“The cruelty can be intentional, such as kicking, burning, stabbing, beating, or shooting; or it can involve neglect, such as depriving an animal of water, shelter, food, and necessary medical treatment,” the group clarifies.
In July 2023, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed NJ S-981 into law, “Strengthening animal protections by establishing procedures for the seizure, care, and forfeiture of animals involved in animal cruelty violations.”
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“I am delighted to sign legislation that will not only increase animal safeguards in New Jersey but also ensure that animals that have been subjected to inhumane treatment receive prompt and adequate care. These protections and procedures will allow law enforcement to intervene in incidents of animal abuse and ensure that the animals are given a second chance,” he said in a statement.