A US man has been charged over his horrific response to a seagull attempting to steal one of is child’s hot chips.
Franklin Zeigler, 29, was at Morey’s Piers — a seaside amusement park in New Jersey — on July 6 with his daughter when the seagull attempted the theft, according to local media.
The Cape May man responded by decapitating the seagull, North Wildwood Police said.
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Ziegler reportedly asked staff at the amusement park for a rubbish bag while holding up the dead bird.
Police were then called to the amusement park, who commenced an investigation upon arrival.
“During the investigation, Zeigler was irate and uncooperative with officers on an unrelated investigation, which resulted in his arrest for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, both disorderly persons offences,” police said.
Ziegler was further charged with third-degree animal cruelty following an investigation by the police department’s humane law enforcement officer, which included speaking with multiple witnesses and taking photos at the scene.
The father will appear before a court at a future undetermined date.
“He is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” police said.