Another Birdicide in S.I., New York

hotballa · Jul 5, 2007

http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1183464138186100.xml&coll=1&thispage=1

Cemetery worker accused of mauling rooster
Robert Johnson of West Brighton allegedly smashed the bird's head to bits
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
By JOHN ANNESE
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It seems like open season on Staten Island birds.

In the latest avian assault to come to light, an employee of Moravian Cemetery is accused of beating and killing a rooster that roamed the historic graveyard's sprawling property in New Dorp.

Robert Johnson, 37, of the 200 block of Pelton Avenue in West Brighton, allegedly smashed the bird's heat to bits, according to an official with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"[Its] skull was in pieces," said Joseph Pentangelo, assistant director of the ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement Division, noting that the rooster's brain hemorrhaged.

Johnson was arrested yesterday, one day after police collared John Potts, 32, a homeless man accused of pummeling a peacock outside a Tottenville Burger King early Thursday morning because he thought he was slaying a vampire.

But the rooster attack was no copycat -- Pentangelo said this bird assault occurred first, around June 11.

Acting on a tip, the ASPCA sent agents to the cemetery to investigate.

Pentangelo said Johnson freely described the attack in de

It was the beginning of his shift, and the rooster was acting "agitated."

So the 6-foot, 3-inch, 250-pound Johnson kicked the 11-pound bird, then tried twice to snap its neck. When that didn't kill it, he held the rooster down and stepped on its head, Pentangelo said.

"I think [Johnson's] size is important when talking about him and a rooster," Pentangelo said. "It was a clear mismatch."

Johnson then hid the bird's corpse, which he later produced for ASPCA agents.

Tests showed the bird suffered brain hemorrhages and "severe, fatal blunt trauma to the head and neck," Pentangelo said.

Johnson was arrested at 9:50 a.m. yesterday by ASPCA Special Agent Patrick Breen about a block from the 122nd Precinct in New Dorp.

But Johnson's landlord, a retired NYPD sergeant, stood up for his tenant last night, offering a different slant on events.

Sean McCafferty said Johnson accidentally hurt the bird while trying to fend off an attack, then decided to put it out of its misery.

"It came after him, it was pecking on his leg," McCafferty said. "It kept coming at him.

"It's a shame. It's a tragic accident. I'm sure he wishes it never happened."

McCafferty said that Johnson, whom he described as a former Marine who has worked at Moravian for about a decade, has been skittish around wildlife since a cat bite at the cemetery sent him to the hospital several months ago for a series of shots.

"He's a real nice guy," McCafferty added. "He's just a quiet guy, goes about his own thing. He's a good uncle."

Johnson, who was released on his own recognizance, was unavailable for comment last night.

Cemetery officials declined comment yesterday afternoon.

Roosters, hens and other birds frequent Moravian's sylvan grounds. The cemetery's two freshwater lakes draw many migrating birds, including ducks, egrets and Canada geese

Last August, a hit-and-run driver killed Rodney the rooster, leaving his mate, Henrietta the hen, a widow. And earlier last year, Squiggles, a favorite cemetery goose, also was killed by a car.

In February, a flock of wild turkeys in Dongan Hills avoided a bottle-rocket barrage launched by Laconia Avenue resident Franklin Picone, who cops believe was fed up by the unruly birds infringing on his neighborhood.

Picone pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count of violating fish and wildlife laws and was fined $500.
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dntrwl · Jul 5, 2007

TheFreak · Jul 5, 2007

I guess that rooster didn't receive the proper training in how to defend himself.

bladeage · Jul 5, 2007

pgabriel · Jul 5, 2007

my grandmother killed chickens by grabbing them by the head and twirling them around till their necks popped. that's old school growing up on a farm.

did this guy really get arrested for killing a rooster?

WildSweet&Cool · Jul 5, 2007

Now, you must know that it would inevitable that this clip would be posted.

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Another Birdicide in S.I., New York

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