A Florida man was arrested and charged on Tuesday for allegedly stealing and injuring his roommate’s parrot. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) identifies the bird abuser as 40-year-old Justin David Peters of Summerland Key.
In a release, the authorities said that a woman reported that Peters, aka “Redbeard,” had taken her $1,800 parrot, Piper, in June.
The release states:
The victim stated she has repeatedly instructed Peters to leave the bird alone and that Peters did not have permission to take the bird out of its cage and leave the residence.
They recounted how the bird was discovered:
The day before, a witness reported seeing a man later identified as Peters at a bus stop near his business. The witness went about his business and looked at the bus station again sometime later and Peters was no longer there, but there was a red parrot on the bench. He took possession of the parrot, called the Sheriff’s Office and made other attempts to locate the owner.
Other witnesses reported seeing Peters with the bird, and stated that the bird seemed “stressed and agitated.”
Piper was taken to a veterinarian after being returned to its owner. An exam revealed multiple injuries, including broken bones, a dislocated hip, blunt force trauma to one side of its body and other injuries.
Peters was booked into the Monroe County Jail on charges of grand theft and animal cruelty.
Follow the National Animal News Facebook page for more news, updates, and petitions.
We are one! Choose your favorite color and design at this link. Purchases help support the continuation of this site.
Find Joy in the Little Things! Choose your favorite color and style at this link. Your purchase helps the continuation of our site!
© Rescue Writers, 2016, All Rights Reserved
That POS belongs in jail!!! He will definitely burn forever in Hell for his cruelty.
Piper is VERY lucky to be alive. He had horrible injuries but also was “out in the open”. Hawks will often swoop down on brightly colored parrots as “free food”. This is why one should not walk around outside with their parrot on their shoulder. People have actually had claw marks and injuries on their shoulders from the hawk snatching their parrot……..