A New Jersey man is accused of decapitating a seagull at the Jersey Shore and faces animal cruelty charges.
A man faces animal cruelty charges after he allegedly decapitated a seagull at the Jersey Shore.
On July 6, 2024, police responded to Morey’s Piers on 2501 Boardwalk Avenue in North Wildwood, New Jersey, for a reported animal cruelty incident.
Witnesses told police that a man, later identified as 29-year-old Franklin Zeigler of Cape May, New Jersey, had decapitated a seagull. During the investigation, Zeigler was irate and uncooperative with officers in connection to an unrelated incident, police said.
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Zeigler was then arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. After a subsequent investigation involving a Humane Law Enforcement officer as well as statements from witnesses, Zeigler was also charged with animal cruelty, police said.
Zeigler was placed on a summons and released pending a future court date.
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If you have any information on the ongoing investigation, please call North Wildwood Police at 609-522-2411. You can also provide an anonymous tip by texting “TIP NWPD” and your message to 888777.