Man charged for allegedly running over flock of seagulls near Long Beach

[ad_1]

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man suspected of running over a flock of seagulls on a Washington beach, and nearly striking two beachgoers, is now facing two charges in Pacific County.

The suspect, identified in court documents filed Aug. 14 as 64-year-old James Travis of Honolulu, Hawaii, is facing a first-degree animal cruelty charge and a reckless driving charge.

The incident began around 8 p.m. July 27, when a driver, later identified as Travis, allegedly ran over and killed 25 seagulls while driving a silver Jeep Cherokee near Klipsan Beach outside of Long Beach, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police said.

One witness told authorities the driver was travelling 50-60 miles per hour when he steered towards and plowed into the seagulls without slowing down, according to court documents.

A short time later, one witness blocked the Jeep with his truck and witnesses confronted the driver who appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, court documents stated, noting the driver “kept saying sorry in a quiet monotone voice.”

Witnesses took photos of the car and reported that same Jeep nearly hit two people walking their dogs on the beach.

Travis sped off as one witness tried calling police, officials said, adding authorities were initially unable to find him.

According to court documents, the maximum penalty for intentionally inflicting pain, injury or killing an animal can lead to five years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine and the reckless driving charge, a gross misdemeanor, can lead to just under a year of imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.

KOIN 6 News reached out to James Travis for a comment. This story will be updated if we receive a response.

[ad_2]

Michaela Bourgeois

Source link