Man Charged With Intentionally Speeding Into Flock Of Seagulls, Killing 2 Birds

YARMOUTH (CBS) – Police charged a man after he allegedly sped through a flock of seagulls intentionally, killing two birds at Seagull Beach in Yarmouth.

A man and woman flagged down an officer after witnesses the incident Wednesday afternoon.

"Both parties appeared extremely upset about what they had just witnessed. The female was crying as she told the officer what happened," police said.

While police were responding to Seagull Beach, an area business owner called to say he had seen a black Honda Civic driving through the parking lot at an "extremely high rate of speed" into a flock of seagulls.

The business owner added that it was apparent the act was intentional.

After running a plate on the car, police found it was registered to Brandin Botelho of Falmouth. Later in the day, Botelho admitted that he had been in the area in the car.

But Botelho denied knowing anything about the complaint. Police say when Botelho was told there were surveillance cameras in the area, he said he remembered seeing seagulls in front of his car.

In his conversation with police, Botelho said the birds scattered but he hadn't hit any of them.

On Thursday, police watched surveillance video, which allegedly shows Botelho speeding up at the point when he drove through the flock of seagulls. Police said it also shows he "went out of his way" to hit the bids.

As a result, Botelho was charged with cruelty to animals and operating a motor vehicle negligently to endanger.