peacocks: more rights than humans?
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles asked for the public’s help Tuesday in identifying a man who authorities suspect killed a peacock in the Palos Verdes Peninsula area.
According to officials, a witness reported an incident that occurred July 9 around 8:20 p.m. in the 27000 block of Eastvale Road.
The witness said the driver of a silver four-door Mercedes-Benz vehicle fired a pellet gun at a peacock standing in a driveway, which collapsed and died as a result of its injuries, officials said.
The man is described by officials as a white with a receding gray hairline, 50 to 60 years of age, wearing a white shirt and “Aviator”-style sunglasses.
According humane officers, 52 peafowl have been found dead or injured since June 2012 in Rolling Hills Estates, which prompted an investigation.
Officials said the investigation found some of the peafowl deaths to be accidental, yet some were intentionally killed by pellet guns, rifles, crossbows and slingshots.
SPCA officials said the consequences of taking malicious action against any wild or domesticated animal can include felony animal cruelty charges, leading to imprisonment for up to three years and $20,000 in fines.
On the other hand ...
from another news story:
Wild Peacocks recently invaded a Cape Canaveral (Florida) neighborhood, causing damage, creating traffic problems, and acting like they owned the place. The messy pest birds--as many as 60--wandered the streets and yards, doing considerable damage to the 42 homes in the Ocean Gardens community off Atlantic Avenue. Some birds dug up plants and scratched cars; some lit on top of houses, damaging roofs and skylights; and still others attacked screened-in porches, turning them into "Swiss cheese." One Peacock literally ripped off the screen with its claws.
Lacking any bird pest control measures, the neighborhood suffered as the noisy birds squawked all night long. They created traffic hazards by crossing the road whenever they felt like it--especially during early morning or evening commute hours. Particularly irksome to owners of dark-colored vehicles was the birds' habit of pecking and scratching at their reflection, since they saw it as another peacock trying to take over their territory during mating season.
Hmm. Wild birds as protected species or wild birds as messy pests who severely damage private property? Imprisonment of up to 3 years and a $20,000 fine?
Final score: peacocks 1, humans 0.
Welcome to the new America, where wildlife has more rights than humanlife.
