SAN ANTONIO — A duck suffered a "horrific death" on the San Antonio River Walk according to investigators, and now park police are pushing for stronger penalties.
Park Police President Henry Bassuk claims the Bexar County District Attorney's Office told officers to let the offender go or just issue a ticket.
The duck was tortured and killed in front of the Rainforest Café on June 17 around 3:30 p.m., according to a police report.
"This duck had its neck wrung and was slammed on the concrete and stomped," Bassuk said.
Witnesses told KENS 5 the man grabbed the duck by the neck and slammed it into the pavement repeatedly. Police identified the suspect as a 24-year-old man who may be experiencing homelessness.
“Several of our officers were on patrol when they were flagged down by several citizens who had seen this horrific crime," said Bassuk. "They pointed out the individual who was still brutalizing the animal when [officers] walked up. Officers stopped the individual. Several of the witnesses had taken video and provided it to officers. The officers took the man into custody."
According to witnesses, the duck's eyes were bleeding and its head was crushed. It reportedly suffered for several minutes before dying.
Tourist and locals alike are expressing concern about the incident.
"It is wrong," said Alfonso.
"It is extremely sad and it puts another spotlight on mental health,” said Christina McCarthy.
"Ducks are a big part of the River Walk," said Mariana Sharron. "They are basically residents that live here rent-free. They are fed, taken care of."
Bassuk wants the suspect charged with felony animal cruelty. However, a spokesperson for the DA’s office says the violation may fall under a Class C misdemeanor instead.
“My fear is this individual is going to be back out on the street with impunity," said Bussak. "Unfortunately in the past and in other cities and other cases, we have seen one horrific crime that's done to an animal leads to the offender moving onto hurting someone else. On the San Antonio River Walk, we get 12 to 15 million visitors a year. The idea that this individual is now going to be walking around with families out there is unacceptable."
The Bexar County District Attorney's office released the following statement on Tuesday:
“At this point, no formal case involving the death of a Maccabi duck has been filed with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. In conversation with the San Antonio Park Police, our office was solely asked for an opinion on which provision of law applied to the killing of the duck.
Our office referred the Park Police to an applicable San Antonio City ordinance, the violation of which is a Class C misdemeanor. By its own terms, the Texas Penal Code section regarding cruelty to livestock animals applies to native or nonnative fowl 'commonly raised under agricultural practices.' Further, the Penal Code provisions dealing with cruelty to non-livestock animals are specifically inapplicable to any 'uncaptured wild living creature.'"
This isn't the first time a duck was killed in downtown San Antonio, causing community outrage. George, a duck who was known for his presence outside the Original Mexican Restaurant on the River Walk, was killed in May of 2013. The famous fowl was apparently beaten to death by two men on the River Walk, according to a surveillance video.
Animal Care Services partnered with The Human Society of the United States and Crime Stoppers to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to those responsible for the death of 'George the Duck.' No arrests have been made in that case.
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