FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794
Posted on 06/12/2002 11:55:18 AM PDT by Temple Owl
Suspect held in peacock killing
A man accused of capturing and skinning the bird before placing it in his freezer is arrested on a charge of cruelty to animals.
By CHRIS TISCH, Times Staff Writer
St. Petersburg Times
A man accused of capturing and skinning the bird before placing it in his freezer is arrested on a charge of cruelty to animals.
CLEARWATER -- A man has been charged with animal cruelty on the suspicion that he killed a peacock, then cut off the bird's wings, claws and feathers and stuck the carcass in his freezer for a later meal.
Randall J. Konarik, 34, of 1220 Palm St. was arrested Monday morning on a charge of cruelty to animals. He was being held at the Pinellas County Jail on Tuesday afternoon in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Clearwater police on Saturday received a report that Konarik had captured a peacock in Dunedin, then brought it to his home, tied it to a brick and killed it.
When police talked to Konarik, he told them he struck the bird in the head with a rock, then kicked it. He told police he then picked up the bird by its wings and feet and carried it 2 miles to his home, an arrest affidavit states.
Konarik told police the bird struggled during the walk, which he said "caused the bird to die from heat exhaustion a few hours later," an arrest report states. Konarik said the death was accidental and occurred while he was trying to relocate the bird.
Once the bird was dead, Konarik removed the bird's wings, claws and some of its feathers. When asked why, he told officers: "Because that's what hunters do," the arrest report states.
He then skinned the bird and placed it in his freezer to eat later, police said.
It was unknown exactly where in Dunedin the bird was captured.
Peafowl have recently created some controversy in one north Clearwater neighborhood. Some residents have tried to remove the birds, complaining they are noisy and messy. That hasn't gone over well with other neighbors who enjoy their beauty.
"I'm in shock to say the least," said Susan Sander, one of the peacock lovers. "To me, animal cruelty is equal to a person. They're God's creatures. I'm so saddened."
Though the birds are very pretty, some who live in neighborhoods where they roam don't appreciate their harsh squawks, particularly during mating season, which is around May. The birds also are known to tear up flower gardens, and even to peck at cars when they see their image reflected.
The birds have lived in the area of the Clearwater-Dunedin border since the 1920s, when there was a peafowl farm there. The birds were raised for their tail feathers, which were a popular fashion item.
When the farm folded decades ago, many of the birds were simply let loose. They have strutted the area ever since.
Rick Chaboudi, executive director of the Humane Society of North Pinellas, said he has never heard of someone killing a peacock, then saving it to eat.
"I have never heard of anyone ever hunting peacocks," he said. "You can't just execute them or mutilate them or things like that."
To those who think that peacocks should be condemned because of their loud call: Peacocks don't belong in dense human populations. I live on thirty wooded acres; NOBODY hears them.
We have a couple of rescued birds including an abused Illiger's Macaw that was deathly afraid of hands, 4 years of constant therapy and she is getting better. Cured a Quaker Parrot of QMS as well. Birds are truely special creatures.
Had this individual simply shot or otherwise humanly killed this peacock, then I would have problems with the arrest. No animal should have to suffer for an extended period of time, or killed in a brutal, tortous manner. I am aware of how slaugher houses work for cattle, pigs & poultry too. Also for folks that practice Kosher, Kosher law dictates that animals must be slaughered humanely. We as humans should have reverence for all living creatures even though we kill them for our nourishment.
Sorry, I thought maybe you'd want to weigh in on this issue. I can't read complex emoticons very well...looks like someone with a dunce cap winking and sticking his tongue out...like a cross between Forrest Gump, Britney Spears, and Gene Simmons. Now there's a scary thought.
Kinda like the senior citizens down in Palm Beach County ever since Jesse went home. Still out there, strutting their stuff and dangling their chads.
Well, seems he could've done a better job of killing it, but at least he didn't stuff it into the freezer while it was still alive.
Mine haven't been with me long enough to be very tame, but I do know that they KNOW who I am (the great big hand with the food,) and the two babies aren't very afraid at all. My birds are still caged; when we gain a little more in population, I will consider letting a few of them go free, although I'm not looking forward to the flower damage and deck poops! Thanks again............
What is it, exactly, that prevents little johnny from being thrown in probate for pulling the legs of a grasshopper or singeing ants?
Do we have to tie our worms onto the hook now? Would letting a box of worms dry out be animal cruelty? Should I check my lawn for snakes before I mow?
If I can shoot a deer with a bow and arrow- why not a cow?
Im so confused.
Pain is a very basic thing, an evolutional neccessity-- why should one animals pain be ok and not anothers?
Isn't abortion, at bare minimum, (animal) cruelty?
I think the PETA people should concentrate on inter-species animal cruelty - once ya put a stop to all that senseless violence get back to me.
Hearing about abused parrots really pushes my hot button. There was a bird store around here that took in a beautiful, sweet Amazon parrot who was afraid of men and whose left wing just hung limp and useless because the %&()#*! who used to own him would hit him with a wooden stick and broke his wing. Every time I'd go in there, I'd try to get them to tell me his name and address, but they never would. Damn lucky thing for him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.