Man wanted for attacking protected pelican in Florida arrested for animal cruelty (Video)
On the morning of March 15, thanks to tips from concerned citizens, officials arrested a Maryland man in Worcester County who is wanted by Florida officials on a charge of animal cruelty.
The suspect is identified as William Hunter Hardesty, 31, of Riva, Maryland. He was arrested on a warrant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that charges him with animal cruelty to migratory birds and the intentional feeding of pelicans. He is currently being held as a fugitive in the Worcester County Detention Center.
Troopers arrested Hardesty shortly after 9:00 a.m. yesterday at a hotel in in Ocean City, Maryland. He was processed at the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack. Hardesty was taken before a court commissioner for a bond hearing and then transported to the detention center, where he will await extradition to Florida. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in Florida has been notified of the arrest and is initiating extradition proceedings.
A video showing a man in Florida luring and then jumping on top of a pelican in the water was posted on social media. Florida authorities investigated and obtained an arrest warrant for Hardesty.
After baiting the pelican and then jumping on top of the bird, the video further depicts Hardesty holding onto the pelican and laughing it up while restraining the pelican in the water. The pelican made its escape after biting the Maryland man in the face. You can see the video below of Hardesty attacking the federally protected bird.
Maryland State Police at the Berlin Barrack were contacted on the morning of March 15 by concerned citizens who said they believed the individual in the video was staying at the Ocean City hotel. Troopers were told the individual was bragging to them about being wanted for feeding and tackling a pelican in the Florida Keys.
Troopers confirmed the extraditable arrest warrant with Florida law enforcement. They responded to the hotel and, after identifying Hardesty, arrested him without incident.
(Source: MSP)
~ Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
