Reward Offered in Manhattan Beach, Calif., Sea Gull Shooting Cases

November 20, 2007

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the shootings of at least four sea gulls in the area of Manhattan Beach and Playa del Rey, Calif.

The Case:
Between Nov. 11 and Nov. 14, at least four sea gulls with gunshot wounds or injuries consistent with gunshot wounds were taken to The International Bird Rescue and Research Center (IBRRC) facility. Three of the birds were euthanized due to the severity of their injuries.

"All birds are worthy of our protection and the perpetrator(s) of these crimes needs to be brought to justice," said Paul Bruce, of The HSUS's West Coast Regional Office.

Animal Cruelty:
The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. The HSUS First Strike Campaign® raises public awareness and educates communities about this connection while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS offers rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty. Visit humanesociety.org/firststrike.

The Investigators:
The California Department of Fish & Game is investigating this case. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call CALTIP at 1-888-DFG-CALTIP or the International Bird Rescue and Research Center's Julie King at (310) 514-2573.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.

The West Coast Regional Office (WCRO) of The Humane Society of the United States, located in Sacramento, Calif., is on the front lines of animal protection issues throughout five states: California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.