Neighborhood peacock allegedly attacked by mail carrier in California
The peacock, referred to by some as Sugar, was allegedly hit with a club.
A mail carrier allegedly attacked and injured a well-known neighborhood peacock in Pasadena, California, on Tuesday, according to ABC News' Los Angeles station KABC.
A video obtained by KABC shows the mail carrier apparently throwing a liquid at the bird before hurling a rock at it, then a short time later, seemingly hitting the bird with a stick or club.
The video shows the peacock, referred to by some in the neighborhood as Sugar, seemingly flopping around then collapsing.
Witness Gina Davis told KABC that she and her husband found Sugar injured and disoriented, unable to move its wings and with a swollen eye.
"I couldn't believe it," Davis said. "I know that the peacock ... likes to follow the mailman, but at that time, if you look at the video, he wasn't bothering him."
Davis described watching Sugar get hit by the club in the video as "horrible."
"This bird has been in our neighborhood for several years and has gotten to know everybody," Davis said. "People feed him. His favorite is blackberries."
The Pasadena Humane Wildlife Center is now caring for Sugar, who sustained injuries and has been examined by veterinarians, the wildlife center told ABC News.
The bird has several minor wounds with areas of swelling, but x-rays showed nothing was broken, according to the wildlife center.
"Overall, his prognosis is good, we plan to keep monitoring him over the next several days," Kevin McManus, public relations and communications director at Pasadena Humane Wildlife Center, said in a statement to ABC News.
The United States Postal Service is reviewing the incident and gathering facts, it said in a statement.
"Postal employees in this area have experienced previous encounters with peacocks, and the Postal Service has been working with Pasadena Humane regarding concerns involving the birds," the Postal Service statement said.
The Postal Service expects its employees to conduct themselves professionally and appropriately while performing their duties, according to the statement.
The Pasadena Humane Animal Control is handling the investigation of the incident. It is seeking Ring camera or other footage from members of the public to assist in the investigation.
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