Florida: Little brat Julian Marquez, 19, accused of throwing chunk of pine bark and hitting flamingo at Busch Gardens

FLORIDA -- A Lee County man has been charged following another incident of animal cruelty at Busch Gardens in Tampa.

According to Tampa police, witnesses saw 19-year-old Julian Antonio Marquez throw what looked like a rock and hit a flamingo at the theme park around 5:49 Friday evening.

He hit the flamingo so hard with this object that it fell down.

An official with Busch Gardens tells News Channel 8 after evaluation, they determined the flamingo was hit with a chunk of pine bark, not a rock.

The official tells us the flamingo was immediately examined by a veterinarian on-staff, is back with the herd and doing fine, but is constantly being monitored.

He’s now facing an aggravated animal cruelty charge.

Marquez has been released on $2,000 bond.

SECOND INCIDENT OF ANIMAL ABUSE RECENTLY 

Earlier this year, Joseph Anthony Corrao, who was with his family, for some unknown reason climbed over the barrier, snatched up a flamingo named “Pinky” and violently threw her to the ground breaking her leg.

Her leg was nearly severed due to Joseph Corrao's attack and was just dangling by a piece of skin. Pinky's injuries were so severe she had to be euthanized.

Pinky was hatched at the park in 1996. She was an ambassador animal for them, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Likely because she was used to being handled and around people, she didn't even run when Joe Corrao approached her.

Pinky was a star at Busch Gardens because of her flamenco dancing routines.

“Pinky loved to dance for our guests,” park spokesperson Karen Varga-Sinka told WTVT-TV. “Her keepers say that this is not a trained behavior, but a natural behavior she loved to show off. Flamingos are filter feeders, using their beaks to strain tasty morsels out of the water around them as they wade.

"To stir up the tastiest treats, flamingos will stamp their webbed feet. Pinky often performed this toe-tapping behavior out of the water for guests.”

 Pinky's senseless torture and death was met with sorrow and outrage across Tampa Bay.

Corrao has THREE drunk driving convictions. In one, he was drunk with his children and tried to get one of them to drive the car for him.

Corrao has also been previously arrested and charged with ANIMAL CRUELTY. 

Corrao was declared incompetent (insane) to stand trial in February and was ordered a month later to undergo in-home competency training for his aggravated animal cruelty charge trial.

If Corrao is insane and derives pleasure from torturing and killing animals, how many other animals has he tortured and killed? If he is insane he needs to be locked up and kept away from animals.

(WAVY - June 3, 2017)

Earlier:

• Florida: ‘Pinky’ the flamingo dies after attack by man at Busch Gardens
• Florida: Joseph Anthony Corrao: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know About the Man Accused of Killing Pinky the Flamingo
• Florida: Mental evaluation for Joseph Corrao, the accused of killing Bush Garden's famous Pinky the flamingo
• Florida: Joseph Corrao spends his time collecting disability checks, getting drunk, driving while drunk, and abusing animals - not just Pinky the flamingo. But now he says he's incompetent and "doesn't understand" the animal cruelty charges against him

Florida: Joseph Corrao spends his time collecting disability checks, getting drunk, driving while drunk and abusing animals - not just Pinky the flamingo. But now he says he's incompetent and "doesn't understand" the animal cruelty charges against him

FLORIDA -- The man accused of killing a beloved Busch Gardens flamingo drinks alcohol frequently, doesn't always take his psychiatric medication and has a history of trouble with the law, attorneys told a judge Wednesday.

Those issues were the focus of a court hearing at which Circuit Judge Tom Barber ordered Joseph Corrao to undergo in-home competency training before the animal cruelty case against him can continue.

"From everything I've heard, I think he's unstable," Barber said.

Joseph Anthony Corrao, 45, faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty in the August 2, 2016 death of Pinky the flamingo. Tampa police said he suddenly grabbed Pinky from an enclosure and threw her to the ground. 

She was severely injured and later euthanized because Corrao nearly ripped off one of her legs. There was no way Pinky could survive this severe of an injury.

Two doctors who examined Corrao submitted reports that said he suffers from mental illness that makes him incapable of understanding the case against him.

If he's insane, then why's he bragging on Facebook that he's going to get drunk? How is it that he's been convicted THREE TIMES of DWI / DUI??? If he were insane and "incapable of understanding", he'd be eating his poop.

JOE CORRAO HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY BEFORE

In court Wednesday, Assistant State Attorney Gregory Pizzo recited Corrao's history of arrests. It includes three drunken driving convictions.

In one case, he told one of his children to drive a car while he was intoxicated. Another prior arrest also involved allegations of animal cruelty.

Joe Corrao's mother, Marguerite Corrao, said her son receives Social Security disability money due to his mental illness. She said he usually drinks a few beers a day and sometimes hard liquor when he is depressed. But CLAIMS he has not had a drink since Ash Wednesday three weeks ago.

 

She has seen him take his medication before, she said. He has not had a driver's license for four years.

Pizzo asked about the day Corrao was examined and was told he reported not taking his medication. Pizzo also asked if she recalled her son saying, "Let's find a restaurant where we can get a beer" when he left one of the [psychological] exams.

She said she thought her son said it as a joke.

Corrao's defense attorney, Jessica Russ, noted that he voluntarily committed himself for a psychiatric evaluation in November, three months after his arrest. Russ told the judge he did so because he was distraught over a friend's death.

He did NOT do this because he was "distraught over a friend's death". He did this on the advice of his attorney who said he could claim mental illness and show the courts that he was "taking steps in the right direction" to deal with in in an effort to get a slap on the wrist for the torture death of Pinky the flamingo. It's like when drug addicts commit a crime then, after arrest, run off to detox. 

Joseph S. Paight, a psychologist who examined Corrao, gave brief testimony in which he said Corrao's illness is "mild."

"He's definitely going to be able to gain competency, in my opinion," Paight said.

Barber said he would prefer to send Corrao to a state hospital, but the law did not allow that option since Corrao poses no imminent threat to himself or others.

But no one cares that he's a danger to animals.

"If it was up to me, strictly, I think he should go to Florida State Hospital, where he's forced to take his medication," the judge said.

 

He needs to be locked up to prevent him for torturing and abusing any more animals.

He ordered Corrao to undergo in-home competency training. He also forbid Corrao from drinking alcohol and told him to take his prescribed medication as directed.

(Tampa Bay - March 22, 2017)

Earlier:

• Florida: ‘Pinky’ the flamingo dies after attack by man at Busch Gardens
• Florida: Joseph Anthony Corrao: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know About the Man Accused of Killing Pinky the Flamingo
• Florida: Mental evaluation for Joseph Corrao, the accused of killing Bush Garden's famous Pinky the flamingo

Florida: Mental evaluation for Joseph Corrao, the accused of killing Bush Garden's famous Pinky the flamingo

FLORIDA -- Doctors will evaluate the mental competency of a man accused of killing Pinky the flamingo last summer at Busch Gardens, a public defender said Wednesday in Hillsborough Circuit Court.

Joseph Corrao's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Jessica Russ, filed a competency motion a day earlier noting concerns that the Orlando man is mentally ill and may be incompetent to continue toward trial. At issue is whether he understands and is able to participate in court proceedings.

Russ said her office had been working with doctors in Orlando to try to schedule psychological examinations. For reasons that are unclear, that did not happen. The office is instead working to have two Tampa doctors examine Corrao.

Circuit Judge Tom Barber told Russ to make sure Corrao shows up to the appointments.

"If he doesn't, he may go to jail and he will be examined in jail," Barber said.

Corrao, 45, who is free on bond, did not attend the 9 a.m. hearing. He is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, stemming from the death of Pinky, a beloved pink flamingo that served as one of Busch Gardens' animal ambassadors.

Corrao was visiting the Tampa theme park with his family Aug. 2 when he reached into an animal pen, grabbed the bird and slammed her to the ground, police said. Her leg nearly severed, Pinky was later euthanized.

Pinky's death was met with sorrow and outrage across Tampa Bay. Police arrested Corrao, who posted $5,000 bail a few days later. His next hearing is Feb. 17.

Corrao has THREE DRUNK DRIVING CONVICTIONS and was also arrested and charged with a previous allegation of ANIMAL CRUELTY.

(Tampa Bay Times - Jan 18, 2017)

Earlier:

• Florida: ‘Pinky’ the flamingo dies after attack by man at Busch Gardens
• Florida: Joseph Anthony Corrao: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know About the Man Accused of Killing Pinky the Flamingo

Florida: Joseph Anthony Corrao: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know About the Man Accused of Killing Pinky the Flamingo

FLORIDA -- A beloved flamingo suffered traumatic injuries and had to be euthanized after she was attacked by a man at the Busch Gardens amusement park Tuesday in Tampa Bay, Florida, authorities say.

Joseph Anthony Corrao, 45, is accused of animal cruelty in the death of Pinky, a popular Chilean flamingo, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Witnesses Say Corrao Picked Up the Flamingo & Threw Her Down ‘in a Rage’ After His Mother Yelled at Him

Joseph Corrao was at Busch Gardens with his family Tuesday night when witnesses said he attacked the 19-year-old flamingo at the Jambo Junction animal viewing area, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Corrao handled the bird “violently,” Tampa Police spokesman Stephen Hegarty told the Associated Press.

Witnesses told WFTS-TV that Corrao reached into the flamingo pen and picked up the flamingo before throwing it down “in a rage.”

During a court appearance Wednesday, a judge said it was Corrao’s own mother who yelled for him to drop the bird after he picked it up, WTVT-TV reports.

“You reached your hand inside the animal pen, it’s alleged you picked up a flamingo that was in there, which you had no legal right to do, apparently your mother yelled for you to put the bird down, and according to multiple witnesses – one, two, three, four, five different witnesses – you threw the bird down with such force that the bird’s foot was nearly severed,” the judge told Corrao.

Corrao was detained by Busch Gardens security and then taken into custody by Tampa police.

Pinky was taken to the amusement park’s Animal Treatment Center, where veterinarians made the decision to humanely put her down because of the severity of the injuries, WFTS reports.

2. Corrao, Who Has a Lengthy Criminal Record, Posted ‘Ive Never Been to Jail in Tampa’ on Facebook a Day Before the Attack

Corrao has a lengthy criminal record, according to online court records.

He has served about three years in prison on convictions that include aggravated assault on a person 65 years or older, felony DUI and fleeing law enforcement, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Corrao was released from prison last year after serving about a year.

According to the Times, Corrao posted on Facebook on Monday about his upcoming trip to Tampa. His Facebook page was deleted Wednesday.

Corrao wrote that he would be going to a Tampa Bay Rays baseball game with his two sons, and would be in box seats with “all u can drink and eat free,” adding, “i will be tepsy tonight.”

The Times says that after Facebook friends told Corrao to “behave himself” and “make a good impression” for his kids, Corrao wrote, “I’ve never been to jail in Tampa.”

3. The Flamingo Was One of the Most Popular Animals at Busch Gardens & Made Public Appearances Around the Area

The slain flamingo was one of the more popular animals at Busch Gardens.

“Pinky was a beloved member of the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay family and made many appearances on behalf of the park’s conservation and education efforts,” the park said in a statement. “She will be sorely missed.”

Pinky was hatched at the park in 1996. She was an ambassador animal for them, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Theme park enthusiast and writer Bill Androckitis told the Times that the flamingos in the Jambo Junction pen are able to approach people.

“But usually if you put your hand out, they’ll run away,” he told the newspaper. He said Pinky isn’t fearful of humans because of her role as an ambassador. “Likely, it wasn’t an issue for her to be approached. But I just can’t, I don’t understand. To do that to any animal in the wild or in Busch Gardens is a despicable thing.”

4. Pinky Was Known at Busch Gardens for Her Flamenco Dancing Routines

Pinky was a star at Busch Gardens because of her flamenco dancing routines. You can watch video of her dancing above.

“Pinky loved to dance for our guests,” park spokesperson Karen Varga-Sinka told WTVT-TV. “Her keepers say that this is not a trained behavior, but a natural behavior she loved to show off. Flamingos are filter feeders, using their beaks to strain tasty morsels out of the water around them as they wade. To stir up the tastiest treats, flamingos will stamp their webbed feet. Pinky often performed this toe-tapping behavior out of the water for guests.”

Varga-Sinka said Pinky was one of about 20 flamingos at the park.

5. A Judge Said Corrao’s Action ‘Bordered on Depraved’ During His First Court Appearance

Corrao was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony, according to Hillsborough County court records. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.

He appeared in court for the first time Wednesday morning, and a judge told him the crime he is accused of is “beyond senseless,” WTVT-TV reports.

“It actually borders on depraved,” the judge said, according to WTVT. “Mr. Corrao, I don’t know if you have other issues. I don’t know who does that, I really don’t. I don’t relate to that on any level.”

During his court appearance, prosecutors said Corrao had served six years in the Army and relies on Social Security disability benefits, the news station reports.

So he lives off disability and now claims he's crazy and incompetent to face these charges, but he regularly goes out drinking with his children? Nice.

Corrao was released from jail on $2,000 bail.

(Heavy - Aug 3, 2016)

Earlier:

• Florida: ‘Pinky’ the flamingo dies after attack by man at Busch Gardens

Florida: ‘Pinky’ the flamingo dies after attack by man at Busch Gardens

FLORIDA -- An Orlando man has been arrested for picking up, and throwing a flamingo named “Pinky” to the ground at Busch Gardens Tampa on Tuesday.

Joseph Anthony Corrao, 45, was at Busch Gardens Tampa with his family around 6:45 p.m. when the incident occurred.

Tampa Police say Corrao was in Busch Gardens’ Jambo Junction Animal Viewing Area when he reached into an animal pen and picked up the Chilean flamingo.

Police say he was witnessed by other patrons throwing the flamingo to the ground. Joe Corrao brutalized Pinky so badly that one of her legs was nearly amputated, it was just hanging there by a piece of skin.

 

RIP: PINKY the flamingo was famous

Due to the excessive force, “Pinky” the flamingo needed to be euthanized because there was no way to save her leg.

“Pinky” was 19-years-old and had been born at the park. She was quite the attraction at Busch Gardens Tampa, doing dance routines, and regularly appearing on TV.

Busch Gardens released the following statement:

Yesterday evening at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, an adult male guest attacked one of our animal ambassadors, a Chilean flamingo known as Pinky, causing traumatic injuries.

Pinky was immediately transported to the park’s Animal Care Center where veterinarians made the decision to humanely euthanize her based on the severity of her injuries.

Pinky was a beloved member of the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay family and made many appearances on behalf of the park’s conservation and education efforts. She will be sorely missed.

Corrao was detained by Busch Gardens’ Security.

He was arrested by Tampa Police and charged with felony animal cruelty.

(NewsChannel8 - Aug 2, 2016)

Six more charged in Hattiesburg Zoo flamingo deaths

MISSISSIPPI -- Six more suspects have been indicted by a Forrest County grand jury for their involvement in an alleged fraternity scavenger hunt gone wrong resulting in the deaths of two Chilean flamingos at the Hattiesburg Zoo.

The Hattiesburg American reports each of the six is charged with grand larceny and conspiracy.

A seventh suspect, Devin Nottis, 19, of Pascagoula, was indicted in April on the same two charges in connection with the incident last October at the zoo that resulted in the death of the two birds.

Hattiesburg Police have said suspects — all local college students — were involved in the bird deaths as part of a Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity scavenger hunt. Authorities say Nottis took a flamingo from the zoo instead of just taking a photo of it.

Both Nottis and the fraternity's chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi have been suspended.

The six arrested Monday were Tyler Branch, 21, of Pascagoula; Richard Colton Coletta, 21, of Gautier; Addonis Harris, 20, of Pascagoula; Cole Mitchell, 23, of Hattiesburg; Alec Newton, 20, of Gautier; and Bobby Scott, 18, of Gautier.

 

  

  

  

 

  

According to police, the incident took place in the early morning hours of Oct. 6. Security camera tape showed four individuals entering the zoo about 1 a.m. An eyewitness reported a group of people scaling the zoo's fence carrying what appeared to be a large bird.

The female bird was later found several miles away and was returned to the zoo but had to be euthanized because of her injuries.

 

Chilean flamingos mate for life and a male flamingo, believed to be her mate, sustained serious injuries while trying to defend her. He died the next day.

 

 

In a statement to MailOnline, The University of Southern Mississippi said it had indefinitely suspended the Delta Mu Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (PIKE) at the school.

'The University is taking swift and appropriate action in response to this incident,' said Southern Miss Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Joe Paul.

'This is a terrible and heinous act that has occurred, and inconsistent with the values of our institution.'
(Jackson Clarion Ledger - Jul 15, 2015)

Earlier:

• DA preparing to present flamingo case to grand jury

DA preparing to present flamingo case to grand jury

MISSISSIPPI -- Nine college students suspected of being involved in the theft of a Chilean flamingo from the Hattiesburg Zoo may soon see their day in court.

The cases against the students will be presented to the grand jury early next year, according to Forrest-Perry County District Attorney Patricia Burchell.

The students may face conspiracy charges in connection with the incident, Hattiesburg Police Department spokesman Lt. Jon Traxler said in October during the early investigation into the incident.

Devin Nottis, 19, of Pascagoula was initially arrested Oct. 8 in connection with the theft and subsequent deaths of two flamingos from the zoo. A University of Southern Mississippi freshman, he was charged with grand larceny, two counts of animal cruelty and trespassing in the case. He remains free on a $17,300 bond.

During a fraternity pledge "prank", Nottis allegedly removed the female flamingo from the zoo about 1:15 a.m. Oct. 7. The bird was found injured about 8:30 a.m. that same day on the Longleaf Trace and had to be euthanized due to the extent of its injuries.

A second flamingo — the male mate of the female — also died, said Rick Taylor, executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, which oversees zoo operations. It was found dead in the holding area the morning of Oct. 8 with scrapes on its body. A necropsy was performed and gross internal injuries were discovered.

In October, Southern Miss placed Nottis on interim suspension, and the fraternity he was pledging — the Delta Mu chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha — on indefinite suspension. The chapter also was placed on administrative suspension by the national organization.

Joe Paul, the university's vice president for student affairs, said last week Nottis and the fraternity remain on suspension.

"We're waiting to see what the grand jury will do," he said.

Immediately after Nottis' arrest, Paul said any additional students found to be involved in this incident would be adjudicated through the official university process.

The zoo has not replaced the four flamingos it lost since the exhibit opened in April 2013. The two that died in October were among the 19 remaining birds in the flamingo exhibit. The exhibit had 21 flamingos when it opened, but two died of natural causes.

Taylor said zoo officials are still looking for replacement flamingos. The original birds were purchased from Zoo Atlanta in December 2012, at a cost of $1,700 for each adult bird and $1,200 for juveniles.

(Hattiesburg American - December 20, 2014)

Pennsylvania: Fifteen-year-old brat chunked a giant rock at a flamingo at zoo, severing its legs and killing it

PENNSYLVANIA -- A 15-year-old boy who allegedly threw a rock at one of the Pittsburgh Zoo's pink flamingos, severing its legs and prompting its death, was trying "to make that bird fly," police said yesterday.

The youth surrendered to police yesterday morning and was charged with criminal mischief, cruelty to animals and criminal trespassing, all misdemeanor offenses, said Officer Thomas Mahr.

The boy, who has not been identified because of his age, was detained at the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center until a hearing is held within 10 to 14 days.

The youth told police he threw a rock at an African Great flamingo because he wanted "to make that bird fly," Mahr said.

The rock severed the bird's legs, forcing zoo officials to put the bird to sleep because of profuse bleeding.

Mahr said the boy was one of a rowdy gang of seven boys and one girl, all about 15 years old, who raced through the zoo Wednesday afternoon and scaled a fence at the outdoor African waterfowl exhibit.

The boy was considered a suspect after all eight youths had been interviewed Thursday evening. Police do not plan to arrest the other youths, Mahr said.

Police tracked the youths from information they received from anonymous phone callers, local radio stations and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"One of the kids bragged about it to someone,"said Victor Foster, vice president of the Association for Animal Relief.

(The Morning Call - March 23, 1985)