Authorities have arrested three teens in connection with the shooting deaths of two peacocks in a west-central Florida city last week.
Update 12:05 a.m. EDT March 30: Three male teens were arrested Friday in the shooting deaths of the peacocks in Riverview, Florida, WFLA reported.
According to a release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the boys admitted to hunting peacocks in a Riverview neighborhood with air rifles in the hopes of eating them.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office referred charges of misdemeanor animal cruelty to the state attorney's office, WFTS reported.
The boys, whose names are being withheld because they are minors, said they never ate the birds, WFLA reported.
Original report: WTSP reported that, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office officials, a neighbor reported the deaths of the domesticated peacocks.
A witness told police a black Ford F-150 truck with four teenagers inside was seen before the dead birds were found, according to WFLA. According to the witness, two teens in the back of the truck were holding pellet guns.
Those responsible will face charges of felony animal cruelty and criminal mischief, WFLA reported.
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