- Maryland, USA -
The Ocean City Police Department said that 64-years-old RICHARD LEE BORTZ JR. (pictured) is facing animal cruelty charges for viciously striking an innocent seagull who had to be euthanized as a result of injuries sustained to the joint area of his/her right wing.
Two witnesses saw BORTZ strike the bird flying by near the Fontainebleau Resort at 10100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, and alerted the police.
Police said BORTZ used a 10-foot long PVC pole to savagely beat the seagull and then broke the bird's neck. The VOICELESS VICTIM inevitably hit the ground and at that point BORTZ picked him/her up and discarded him/her into a dumpster.
Responding officers found the seagull and called in Animal Control.
Responding ACO Wisnieski reached out to a bird rehabilitation facility, but sadly, due to the severity and nature of the injuries, the seagull had to be euthanized.
Police then spoke to witnesses.
As BORTZ started walking toward officers, witnesses identified him as the suspect.
According to official documents obtained by Voice For Us, when officers asked him about the incident, BORTZ claimed he did not know anything about what happened but said birds fly into dumpsters regularly.
A nearby surveillance camera recorded the incident and officers were able to view the footage.
According to police, the video shows BORTZ walking into a nearby building at approximately 8:45 a.m. and exiting with the PVC pipe, which was nearly three feet taller than BORTZ whose height is 5’8’’. The footage goes on to show a seagull flying into and out of camera view before being seen lying on the ground in a puddle. BORTZ then can be seen walking back into the building, returning the pipe, and walking back out.
OCPD Officer Patrick Schob arrested BORTZ, of Willards, on May 15, and charged him with one Felony count of aggravated animal cruelty and two Misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. BORTZ was transported to the Ocean City Public Safety Building and was released on his own recognizance.
Online court records show BORTZ’s trial is scheduled to take place at Worcester District Court on June 24, 2022, at 09:00 a.m.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
Additional Sources:
Cruel old man! Age did not make this jerk wiser! Praying he doesn’t get off with just a ‘shame on you’! RIP PRECIOUS SOUL.