Animal cruelty is one of the worst things human beings are capable of. Sure, our species has done (and continues to do) some pretty terrible things, but when humans take selfies with beached aquatic life, shoot dogs in the face, these and similar terrible acts are amplified by the fact that — more often than not — the victims can’t fight back, legally and otherwise. These stories tend to piss people off, which is why the account of the death of “Pinky” the flamingo at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida has gone viral.
According to CBS Miami, Joseph Carrao of Orlando was visiting the park’s animal viewing area, Jambo Junction, with his family on Tuesday. Witnesses claim he suddenly reached into Pinky’s enclosure, picked the flamingo up by its neck and slammed it into the ground “in a rage.” Despite the Busch Gardens veterinary staff’s quick actions, they were unable to revive the Chilean bird and had to euthanize her. In an official statement, Busch Gardens said Pinky was a “beloved member” of the park and that “she [would] be sorely missed.”
Carrao was arrested by Tampa police and charged with felony animal cruelty.
Check out the official Busch Gardens video below for a look at Pinky’s “Flamingo Flamenco” routine.
(Via CBS Miami)
