 Exotic black swan beaten to death with golf club
West Palm Beach, FL (US)Incident Date: Friday, Dec 29, 2000
County: Palm Beach
Local Map: available
Disposition: Dismissed
Person of Interest: Cyril Wagner
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available |
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A golfer was charged with animal cruelty for beating an exotic black swan to death with a driver at Donald Trump's golf club, officials said.
Harry Wagner of New York was charged with the misdemeanor - he could face a year in jail and a $5,000 fine if convicted.
The 50-pound swan, named Alex, was killed Dec. 29 at the Trump International Golf Club.
According to court records, Wagner admitted killing the bird with a titanium driver but said he did it to defend other golfers. His golfing partner, a member of the club, said the swan was known to be aggressive.
Wagner declined to comment on the charge, said his attorney, Doug Duncan.
The swan, native to Australia and worth about $1,000, was one of four given to Trump by a friend. The New York developer banned Wagner from all of his properties after the incident. Case UpdatesWagner will avoid going to jail on an animal cruelty chage after clubbing an exotic black swan to death at Donald Trump's International Golf Club.
Wagner entered into an agreement with prosecutors that will result in the case against him being dismissed. He had been charged with a misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
The deal allows Wagner to avoid entering a plea to the charge. He must perform 30 hours of community service at a NY animal rescue league, make a contribution of $2,500 to an animal rescue league in West Palm Beach and reimburse the Palm Beach County Sheriff office up to $800 for the cost of investigatigating the case. If this is all done within 3 months the case will be dismissed.
Wagner admitted killing the 6 foot tall swan, named Alex with a driver. The swan was one of 4 given to Trump. One of the swans had been killed by an alligator earlier, now leaving 2 at the club, which also has about 20 white swans. | | Update posted on May 26, 2003 - 10:07AM |
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