FOLLY BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA: A couple of men reportedly smashed a seagull to death using a large stick on a South Carolina beach because they were 'bothered' by the bird.
Braden Durst, 19, and Sebastian Whitesock, 20, were seen by a witness at Folly Beach on September 16 taking the bird down from the sky and killing it with the stick while they recorded themselves, police said.
According to an incident report from Folly Beach police, when officers first arrived at the scene, a man who supposedly saw the duo abusing the bird pointed Durst and Whitesock out and informed the authorities he saw them record the act.
Braden Durst and Sebastian Whitesock filmed while abusing the seagull
According to Law and Crime, as police approached Durst and Whitesock, an officer noted that the men allegedly admitted to killing the bird because it “bothered” them.
When Durst and Whitesock were questioned about filming the horrifying incident, the former admitted he recorded them smashing the bird too and handed over his cellphone, police said.
When the officer played the video back from a cellphone, records note it “showed Sebastian throwing a large stick at the bird which hit the bird and the bird falls.
Sebastian then walks over as he jumps for joy, picks up the stick, and then smashed the bird.”
“It should be noted that there were families out near where the incident took place,” the Folly Beach report stated.
What charges do Braden Durst and Sebastian Whitesock face now?
Durst was arrested and charged with ill treatment of animals (torture) and was released on a $10,000 bond. According to Charleston County court records, his initial appearance will be on November 17 at 2 pm.
Whitesock, on the other hand, was charged with malicious injury to animals and personal property and he posted a $1,000 bond, police records show.
He is due next in court on November 3 at 2 pm. Neither of the accused duo has spoken on the incident since their arrest.
Man who killed seagull by dragging it with dog leash is not charged despite arrest
Meaww previously reported that a Blackpool man described as 'extremely vile' was seen dragging a seagull by its neck with a dog leash. The bird was later rescued by onlookers but had to be put down at the vets.
As per reports, the man, who has not been identified, was seen pulling a live seagull along the sidewalk with a rope around its neck.
According to Lancashire Police, the bird "was taken by a member of the public to a local vet," where it "sadly had to be put down".
Police said they are still looking into the event after the man in his 50s was detained for being intoxicated and rowdy and later released without being charged.
