Photo: Lukasz Rafal Duma / 500px / 500px / Getty Images
Cooper City, FL - Authorities are asking for the public's assistance to identify the suspects involved in a shocking act of animal cruelty that left 30 Egyptian geese dead after they were intentionally killed by an off-road-style vehicle.
The incident occurred on the evening of December 28th in a neighborhood near Southwest 49th Street and 120th Avenue, in a lake easement area between Flamingo Gardens West and the Countryside Shops Plaza.
Surveillance footage released by investigators captured an off-road vehicle, resembling an ATV, in the area where the geese were run over.
Witnesses described the attack as deliberate and disturbing.
"They’re circling around, running them back over again," witness Brian Schaffer told Local 10 News WPLG.
"They were giggling when they were driving by."
Schaffer confronted the group of young adults believed to be responsible.
When questioned, the group reportedly responded with profanity and laughter.
Egyptian geese are classified as an invasive species in Florida and lack state wildlife protection.
Authorities confirmed that the individuals responsible could still face animal cruelty charges under state law.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has also been alerted regarding the December 28th incident.
Detectives believe the vehicle involved may have entered the Flamingo Townhomes subdivision after the attack, as surveillance footage captured the suspects driving through the area.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with details regarding the vehicle or suspects involved to contact 954-321-4243.
Broward Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through the SaferWatch app or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477), online at browardcrimestoppers.org, or by dialing **TIPS (8477) from a cellphone.
