- Florida, USA -
~ Update: May 9, 2022
I had emailed the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and requested additional information about the VOICELESS VICTIM of this case. The agency responded and told me that since this criminal case is still active, not too many details could be disclosed.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida could only reveal that the laughing seagull “was an adult, sex unknown.”
The email went on to say, “Both wings were fractured and the gull suffered full body trauma. The severity of the injuries required humane euthanasia.”
~ Original story:
An incident that happened in November 2021, resulted in the recent arrest of 30-years-old PAUL JOHN FLAUCHER (pictured).
The Marco Island Police Department said in a press release that on November 5, 2021, the Department launched an investigation after receiving a report about a male who was seen hitting laughing seagulls with a shovel on the South Beach area of Marco Island.
Police said the male fled the scene before officers responded.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida back then said in a Facebook post: “The gull suffered multiple fractures to its wings and severe head trauma. Unfortunately by the time it arrived to the hospital, the only option was humane euthanasia.”
Police said seagulls are a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The investigation identified FLAUCHER, of Jesup, Iowa, as the male who was witnessed viciously beating the defenseless seagulls.
“With the assistance of our law enforcement partners from the Iowa Department of Public Safety, further information was gathered, and an arrest warrant was issued through Collier County Circuit Court,” stated the release.
According to ABC 7, social media helped police track FLAUCHER down.
The picture of FLAUCHER below at the beach, was reportedly taken by one visitor before FLAUCHER left the beach. That photo was later posted to social media getting the attention of some in Iowa.
Someone then tipped off law enforcement.
FLAUCHER turned himself in at the Collier County Jail on May 4, 2022.
He is now facing one count of aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.
Online records show the murderer had his first court appearance on the afternoon of Thursday, May 5, 2022.
He walked after posting bond.
FLAUCHER’s arraignment has been set for the morning of Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at 8:15 before Judge Michael J. Provost.
As more details are surfacing about the incident, ABC 7 learned that when people tried to stop FLAUCHER that day, he pulled his pants down. Someone rightfully said FAUCHER should be beaten with a shovel right underneath his pants the way he did the seagull!
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Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
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