This pelican had its beak stomped on at the Newport Pier. (KTLA-TV) |
NEWPORT BEACH -- A fisherman is accused of attacking a pelican at the Newport Pier after the bird tried to steal his catch.
Daniel Richard Moreno, 19, has plead not guilty to one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty.
Police say that Moreno was fishing on the pier around 3:30 p.m. on March 14 when he set one of the fish he caught on the ground next to him. The pelican, which was standing nearby, swooped down and tried to grab the fish, authorities said.
Moreno stomped on the pelican's beak, according to police, and reportedly kicked the bird in the head.
The bird suffered a hairline fracture to its beak, according to Debbie McGuire, director for the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, where the pelican is recovering. The fracture drew blood, police said.
Moreno left the area after the alleged attack, but witnesses who reported it pointed him out to police, officials said.
McGuire said the bird is a protected species, and Moreno will probably have to deal with the Department of Fish and Game on top of the criminal charges he's facing from Newport Beach police.
Local fishermen told KTLA they felt sorry for the bird.
"We're in their home. This is their home. We're here to enjoy it and they are here too," John Hua told KTLA.
A fractured beak is a life-threatening injury for a pelican because they dive into the water from up to 60 feet in the air to catch fish, said wildlife technician Kelly Beavers.
"It's upsetting that somebody could do that to a starving animal over some fish," Beavers said.
The beak will take about a month or so to completely heal. The pelican is eating but not flying yet.
For more information on the bird's recovery go www.wwccoc.org or find the center on Facebook.
Daniel Richard Moreno, 19, has plead not guilty to one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty.
Police say that Moreno was fishing on the pier around 3:30 p.m. on March 14 when he set one of the fish he caught on the ground next to him. The pelican, which was standing nearby, swooped down and tried to grab the fish, authorities said.
Moreno stomped on the pelican's beak, according to police, and reportedly kicked the bird in the head.
The bird suffered a hairline fracture to its beak, according to Debbie McGuire, director for the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, where the pelican is recovering. The fracture drew blood, police said.
Moreno left the area after the alleged attack, but witnesses who reported it pointed him out to police, officials said.
McGuire said the bird is a protected species, and Moreno will probably have to deal with the Department of Fish and Game on top of the criminal charges he's facing from Newport Beach police.
Local fishermen told KTLA they felt sorry for the bird.
"We're in their home. This is their home. We're here to enjoy it and they are here too," John Hua told KTLA.
A fractured beak is a life-threatening injury for a pelican because they dive into the water from up to 60 feet in the air to catch fish, said wildlife technician Kelly Beavers.
"It's upsetting that somebody could do that to a starving animal over some fish," Beavers said.
The beak will take about a month or so to completely heal. The pelican is eating but not flying yet.
For more information on the bird's recovery go www.wwccoc.org or find the center on Facebook.
