Just desserts? Bird beaten for stealing ice cream

Grand Junction Sentinel ^ | 1/14/09

[GSWarrior]

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — A rare gull that apparently tried to eat a couple's ice cream was euthanized after the man beat the bird with a stick. Dragan Djuric, 50, of Wichita, Kansas, and his wife were eating ice cream New Year's Eve on the boardwalk at Main Beach when a flock of birds attacked them, Laguna Beach police Sgt. Jeff Calvert said.

One bird hit Djuric's wife in the head and tried to take the ice cream. Djuric was defecated on.

The couple dropped the frozen food and Djuric began hitting the birds with a stick, Calvert said.

One of the birds — a rare Heermann's gull — sustained a broken wing and was later euthanized.

Djuric was cited and released on suspicion of animal cruelty.

Heermann's gulls are on the Audubon Society's watch list for at-risk birds. The creatures are surprisingly aggressive and steal fish from the pouches of pelicans and chase other birds to take their prey, according to the society's Web site.

The estimated population of Heermann's gulls is 525,000.

[LottieDah]

This guy couldn’t buy another ice creame treat?

[wolfcreek]

“Djuric was defecated on”

ByeBye Birdy

[thackney]

steal fish from the pouches of pelicans

Pretty brave (stupid) bird. I've seen video of a pelican swallowing a duck who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[thackney]

This guy couldn’t buy another ice creame treat?

Why? Do you think the bird was still hungry?

[the invisib1e hand]

euthanized

In other words, he killed it. It doesn't say "kill," "die," or "dead" anywhere in the piece. Someone without the New Millenium MSM Approved Lexicon might be at a loss to understand the story.

[Gaffer]

No one should have to put up with abuse from birds. This endangered species mania is BS

[xcamel]

These ninnys are going to get everyone killed eventually.

[Daffynition]

[the invisib1e hand]

Oh, and for some reason, this triggers a memory: don't ever try to be humane and take wounded bird to a sanctuary in Florida. The wild animal police will harass you until you wish you never had.

[marron]

One bird hit Djuric's wife in the head... Djuric was defecated on.

I'd probably have taken a swing at him myself.

[the invisib1e hand]

Heermann's gulls are on the Audubon Society's watch list for at-risk birds.

This guy's @ss is grass now.

[CindyDawg]

What was the time line? His wife was getting attacked, they dropped the ice cream and he started swinging or did he started beating the birds after it was over?

Either way, protected or not, any animal that attacks humans should be put down IMO. What if the next time it is a toddler's face?

[GSWarrior]

What can I say...I had the munchies."

[TrebleRebel]

In other news a man was taken to hospital with multiple lacerations after saving his son from a vicious attack by a rabid pit bull. He was placed under arrest by police for animal cruelty after he admitted using force to save his son’s life. PETA have separately filed a civil suit against him.

[lormand]

"No one should have to put up with abuse from birds. This endangered species mania is BS"

Exactly

[james500]

“The creatures are surprisingly aggressive”

The bird was all like, “I’m a rare Heermann’s gull. I’m on the Audubon Society’s watch list for at-risk birds. Whatcha gonna do punk?!?”

[MEGoody]

This guy couldn’t buy another ice creame treat?

A flock of gulls looking for food can be pretty darned aggressive. . .reminiscent of Hitchcock's "The Birds".

[RichInOC]

Where’s Ozzy Osbourne when you really need him?

[ßuddaßudd]

I've seen a large flock of seagulls(lol) attack a child alone at a picnic table at the SF Zoo and thougt things were about to get out of control for a momnet there. Poor kid lost his sandwhich and fries...
The Gulls looked my direction next, but they stood down after I swore at them...