Saturday, August 14, 1993

Pennsylvania: Raymond Manness, 29, charged with animal cruelty; accused of killing a cockatoo by cooking it alive inside microwave

PENNSYLVANIA -- A Bartonsville man has been charged with cruelty to animals for killing a cockatoo by putting the exotic bird in a microwave and turning the oven on, Tamaqua police said yesterday.

The accused, Raymond Manness, 29, is also charged with attempting to kill two kittens in similar manner.

Someone in the house removed the kittens from the microwave before they were harmed, borough police said.

Manness has been cited for cruelty to animals, criminal mischief and two counts of criminal attempt to commit cruelty to animals.

The incidents took place at the home of John and Genevieve Hindermyer, 18 Spruce St., Tamaqua, on Monday night, police said.

A short time after the kittens were saved, Manness allegedly went into the living room and took one of two cockatoos from a cage and put it in the microwave in the kitchen, then turned it on, killing the bird.

Criminal complaints have been filed with District Justice Andrew Zelonis of Tamaqua who set a hearing on Sept. 2.

(The Morning Call - August 13, 1993)