North Dakota: Police investigate pic of birds subjected to possible pot smoke in Fargo

NORTH DAKOTA -- A photo posted on social media showing a man blowing what appears to be smoke into a jar with birds in it may prompt charges under a city ordinance outlawing cruelty against "dumb animals."

The photo drew police attention earlier this week after it was widely shared. The photo was shared on Fargo/Moorhead Lost & Found Pets and Personal Items Facebook page and includes the caption "puff puff pass," a phrase associated with smoking marijuana.

"(A photo of) someone smoking marijuana, probably not a lot of attention, but when you bring in the component of cruelty to animals, that grabs a little bit more attention," said Joe Anderson, a deputy police chief in Fargo.

Fargo narcotics investigators identified the suspect and completed a report for cruelty to dumb animals, the official name of the city ordinance prohibiting beating or abusing animals, the Fargo Police Department said in a post on its Facebook page Friday, July 8.

(Grand Forks Herald - July 11, 2016)