Three people were arrested on Sunday for allegedly stealing a swan from Charles Park. Another suspect has also been identified, and charges are pending. The swan, however has not been located.
According to the Facebook page, Howard Beach Dads, the four were caught on video awkwardly carrying the swan away. It is feared the swan may have been used as a sacrifice, a prank or ended up on a dinner table.
The female mute swan was stolen on Saturday at Frank M. Charles Memorial Park in Howard Park according to the United States Park Police. The swan recently had babies, and her lifelong mate has been calling out to her in apparent “distress,” which makes the entire incident profoundly sadder.
Mute swans, which weigh an average of 20 to 25 pounds, are protected by the New York State Environmental Conservation Law.
The executive director of an animal advocacy group, NYCLASS stated there have been disturbing reports of animals in the area used in ritualistic sacrifices. There has also been a record of homeless people stealing swans to eat.
It is not likely the wild bird was stolen for wildlife trafficking since there is no market for swans. Because it was the last week of school in Howard, it’s very possible some kid with a “bird brain” idea had carried out a “cruel senior prank.” One of the suspects is a minor and has been released to the custody of his parents. The other three have not been identified.
According to the New York Post, Stephanie Santiago, a Howard Beach resident witnessed the incident at around 8:30 p.m. on June 21. She and her daughter saw the group coming out of the park; and one of the individuals had the swan awkwardly tucked under his arm. Stephanie and her daughter yelled at the men and asked them what they were doing, but the men just smiled at the women and stuffed the swan into the back seat of their vehicle.
Check out the video:
Their video, along with the suspects’ vehicle and license plate information, was uploaded to various social media platforms, including TikTok and Instagram. Within a day, the car was spotted, and the suspects arrested.
If only the female swan could be found alive and reunited with her family.
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The four who stolen and killed the swam deserve life in jail, ot at minimum, their hand cut off so they cannot do it again. Anyone know their names? Addresses?
There are times when waterboarding would be called for. Why can’t the police find out what happened to the swan? If they don’t find out what is going on this will keep happening. It is the most unbelievable act of cruelty. The ignorant thugs who did this should do prison time.