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Franklin Zeigler, 29, was charged with third-degree animal cruelty, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest, the North Wildwood Police Department said in a news release on Monday, July 22.
Officers responded to a report of an animal cruelty incident at Morey's Piers on Saturday, July 6, and witnesses said Ziegler had decapitated the shorebird. Ziegler was also "irate and uncooperative" with police on an unrelated investigation.
Investigators said Ziegler was charged with animal cruelty after statements made by him and witnesses, as well as photographic evidence. He was released on bail to await a future court date.
Anyone with information about the incident should call the North Wildwood police at (609) 522-2411 or send a text that begins with "TIP NWPD" to 888777.
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