Police charge man with animal cruelty over death of bird; inquiries continue - Walsh Bay

A man has been charged, and inquiries are continuing, after he was filmed allegedly kicking and stabbing an aquatic bird at Walsh Bay earlier this month.

Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were yesterday (Friday 12 March 2021) made aware of a video posted on social media of three males attacking and killing a cormorant on a wharf near Walsh Bay.

In the video, the males are seen kicking and stabbing the bird after it was caught on fishing line.

Police commenced an investigation and established the incident occurred on Thursday 4 March 2021.

Following inquiries, police identified a 13-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man in the video.

Earlier today (Saturday 13 March 2021), police attended a home on The River Road in Revesby and arrested the 13-year-old.

The older teen was arrested a short time later and both were taken to Bankstown Police Station.

The 18-year-old has since been charged with serious animal cruelty and was granted conditional bail and is expected to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 31 March 2021.

The 13-year-old was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

Inquiries into the incident are continuing, and police are attempting to identify a third male seen allegedly killing the bird in the video.

The man in the video is described as being of Mediterranean / Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his late teens or early 20s, with a medium build, black mohawk-style haircut, and a beard.

In the vision the man is seen wearing a black singlet with a white logo across it, black three-quarter length pants, and black sneakers.

Further, police would like to speak to anyone who can assist in identifying the person who filmed the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

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