Man charged with animal cruelty after 'killing two ducklings with staple gun'
Using a makeshift staple gun, a man is accused of committing a cruel act on two ducklings who he allegedly shot to death with staples
Oklahoma resident Tyler McMillan allegedly used a stapler, which he opened and proceeded to use as a gun, to kill two little ducklings before dumping them into a box and throwing them out his car window as he drove.
Staples were found all over the animals' bodies.
McMillan was later identified as the driver of a gold Infiniti G35 with tinted headlights and taillights, according to police. Surveillance footage shows him allegedly quickly toss a box out of his moving car window, according to the Tulsa Police Department. It is unclear as to how the police determined McMillan as the driver.
READ MORE: Former international footballer mauled to death by three pet dogs in garden
Furious chimp launches bottle at girl filming him leaving her bleeding at zooAnimal welfare officials, who first alerted the public, found them with staples piercing their entire bodies. “Inside the box were two ducklings, shot with a staple gun through the neck, head, and legs,” the Tulsa Animal Welfare group said on Facebook. “Both animals were critically wounded and died a few hours later.”
Officials rushed the critically injured duckling to veterinary professionals, but it died hours later. An X-ray examination revealed that McMillan allegedly also rammed multiple staples through the ducklings' head and skull.
Colton Jones who works in the animal welfare group spoke about the disturbing discovery. He said: “The ducklings were very small; they were newborn ducklings, so someone had to restrain them to do this, which to us is disturbing."
To catch McMillan, who is facing two counts of animal cruelty among other charges that could give him more than a decade in county jail, Colton said his team launched a thorough investigation. He also enlisted the help of animal control and utilised public tips. He noted the importance of protecting animals.
“We’re actively investigating it, so if any leads are generated, we’re actively pursuing them, and then we’ll follow up with the district attorney’s office with the results of our investigation and present that information to have formal charges filed,” the animal advocate said last week before the arrest.
“They may have done it before, but there is a possibility that without a repercussion, someone may do it again, and that’s what we are really here to stop.”
McMillan was not cooperative with police at the time of his arrest. Police said he threw an e-cigarette at one officer, which tacked on another charge. In total, he faces two counts of animal cruelty, two counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal, assault and battery on a police officer and obstructing or interfering with a police officer.
McMillan is detained in Tulsa County jail on a $10,000 (£8,000) bond. He is due back in court on October 11.