Photo: Getty Images
West Palm Beach, FL - A man appeared before a South Florida judge on Tuesday after he was accused of abusing a bird on Florida's threatened species list.
31-year-old Michael Bochicchio, of Palm Beach Gardens, appeared in court after he was arrested by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers on Monday.
Authorities say witnesses saw Bochicchio chase down a sandhill crane, grab the bird by its neck, and remove its feathers.
Witnesses tried to stop Bochicchio from removing the feathers, but Bochicchio held the bird’s feathers in front of a witness’ face and asked them if they wanted to keep them.
Bochicchio faces two misdemeanor counts and one third-degree felony count.
He's being held on $1,000 bond.