Peacock Killer On The Run In California, Cops Searching For Suspect

RTR3ROEI — Though peafowl are not native to Southern California, the species' numbers have greatly increased in certain parts of the region. Reuters

Authorities are continuing their search for a man suspected of fatally shooting a peacock on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Southern California

According to a statement from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, eyewitnesses told Ranchos Palos Verdes authorities that they saw the man shoot and kill a peacock from his Mercedes-Benz on July 9, reports the Associated Press. The bird was standing in the driveway when the man fired a pellet gun from the driver’s seat of his vehicle, the witnesses added.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles released an artist sketch of the suspected shooter.

Eyewitness Provides Description of Alleged Peacock Killer http://t.co/eeMGQexp7m Animal Cruelty Suspect Sought pic.twitter.com/88wubxK8mf
— spcaLA (@spcaLA) July 22, 2014

The organization said 52 peafowl have been injured or killed in the region over the past two years. They added that some of the killings were not intentional while others required the investigation of animal control officials and police.