8 chickens die after release in high school Larkspur, CA (US) Incident Date: Thursday, May 25, 2006 County: Marin Local Map: available Disposition: Not Charged Abuser names unreleased Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 8734 Classification: Other Animal: chicken View more cases in CA (US) Login to Watch this Case

Four high school students were suspended after they allegedly loosed dozens of chickens in school hallways as part of a senior prank and eight of the birds died, school officials said. The Redwood High School seniors could be barred from graduation ceremonies and face animal cruelty charges for their involvement in the prank, according to school and animal control officials. The students apparently bought the chickens at a "live market" in San Francisco and stored them in boxes inside a car before releasing them into the school's hallways Thursday morning, said Principal Nancy Neu.

Seven chickens were found dead at the school, and another died later. About 30 other chickens were taken to the Marin Humane Society with various injuries. "We're absolutely outraged," Neu said. "Our staff and our students are outraged. The students will be disciplined appropriately. It's just awful." The students could face animal cruelty charges, said Carrie Harrington, a Humane Society spokeswoman.

The chickens might be put up for adoption when they recover, she said. "Dehydration was our biggest concern for them," Harrington said. "Chickens sometimes live in some pretty deplorable conditions. These chickens had been in pretty bad shape for some time. We're all pretty disgusted by it." The incident occurred a year after another senior prank went awry in Marin County.

San Marin High School senior Connor Reilly was sentenced to 60 days in jail after pleading guilty to felony vandalism for opening several fire hydrants that flooded the Novato school's library and caused at least $140,000 in damage.

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ContraCosta Times - May 28, 2006

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