Port St. Lucie, FL -A Florida man was arrested on April 2 on accusations that he tortured a federally protected bird in front of his children. The Port St. Lucie police have identified 67-year-old Eugene Fritz as the man who sliced off the leg of a great blue heron and slit the bird’s throat…in front of his kids.

As reported by WPTV News, the authorities interviewed Fritz’s children after his wife reported what happened. Fritz’s daughter said that her dad had the injured bird with him when he picked her up from school. The police report for the March 31 incident states:

“The bird was still alive at this point but had a broken leg. It appeared the father had injured the bird when he grabbed it.”

The children said he then cut off its legs, brutally stabbed it to death, before slitting its throat, all while they watched.

The family has stated that Fritz brutalized the blue heron because he was “angry” that it went after his fishing bait.

Eugene Fritz is facing multiple charges, including aggravated animal cruelty and cruelty toward a child.

If you are shaken by what this man did to an innocent bird, and angered that he committed the violence in front of children, please add your name to the petition today!

We the undersigned demand that Eugene Fritz is held responsible for torturing and killing a protected great blue heron and we are petitioning for him to receive the maximum punishment allowable by law for the charges stemming from this appalling act of violence. 

Blue herons are protected federally under the U.S. Migratory Brid Treaty Act, as well as the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

News:

WPTV

Local 12

NY Post

Update 8/29/2023: Animal Victory has learned that the next docket call is scheduled on 08/30/2023 at 9:00 a.m This is a status meeting in preparation for trial.

Update 7/13/2023: Animal Victory sent a cover letter and petition to the County Attorney.

Update 7/4/2023: Animal Victory has learned that a Motion to Compel Discovery is scheduled on 7/24/2023, and a docket call is scheduled on July 26, 2023.

Update 6/22/2023: Animal Victory has learned that the Docket Call is scheduled for 6/28/2023 at 9 am in courtroom 2B-HC with Honorable Michael Heisey.

Update: 5/15/2023: Animal Victory sent cover letter and petition to the judge.