While on patrol, a deputy from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station was flagged down by a witness near the Malibu Pier Wednesday at 5:50PM.
The witness said a man, later identified as 30 year-old Suspect Sergio Alvarez, had a pelican by its throat and was choking it with both hands.
Witnesses told deputies the pelican flapped its wings in distress until its body went limp and died.
Witnesses directed the deputy to Suspect Alvarez.
When the deputy detained suspect Alvarez, he made comments regarding the pelican which led the investigating deputy to believe suspect Alvarez killed the pelican.
With the help of witnesses, the deputy was able to locate the dead pelican.
Based on the deputy’s investigation, Suspect Alvarez, a transient who frequents the Malibu pier area, was arrested for felony animal cruelty and booked at Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He is being held on $20,000 bail.
Personnel from the California Wildlife Center responded and took possession of the pelican.
Though California brown pelicans are no longer listed as endangered, they are still a fully-protected species in California. For more on brown pelicans, click on the below link from the California Department of Fish and Game:
http://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/feeding-brown-pelicans-harms-them-more-than-it-helps/
California animal cruelty law is primarily described in California Penal Code Section 597. There are basically two types of animal cruelty: intentional cruelty and negligent cruelty. Animal cruelty can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony with fines up to $20,000.00 and/or being sentenced to incarceration in state prison for up to three years, or in county jail for up to one year.
By:
Robert Wiard, Lieutenant
Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
27050 Agoura Road, Agoura, CA 91301
818-878-1808
www.Malibu.lasd.org
www.LostHills.lasd.org
www.lasd.org
Forwarded by:
Don K. Walker, Deputy
Peter Gomez, Deputy
Mike Parker, Captain
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
[email protected]
LASD Text & Emails: www.Nixle.com
http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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