HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich.-
Two men admitted releasing about two dozen peacocks and pheasants from their enclosure outside a grocery store, and plucking one of the birds almost clean, Oakland County sheriff’s officials said Wednesday.
Mikhail R. Moesta, 17, of Highland Township, and Michael J. Muscatello, 20, of White Lake Township, were arraigned Tuesday on one count each of malicious destruction of personal property and of animal cruelty, sheriff’s Maj. Damon Shields said.
The birds escaped July 2 after a hole was cut in the mesh netting of their pen at Colasanti’s Market. All six peacocks eventually returned, but 20 pheasants did not. One of the peacocks was found with almost all of its feathers removed.
“They are beautiful animals,” Lt. David Pement told The Oakland Press. “I wouldn’t want to be the peacock in the cage when they came lurking that night. It makes you wonder why people do the things they do.”
Moesta and Muscatello were arrested after investigators received a tip. Each was released on personal bond pending preliminary hearings to be held within 12 days, Shields said. If convicted of the misdemeanors, they face up to 93 days in jail, $1,000 in fines and up to 200 hours of community service.
Store owner Kelly Colasanti replaced the pheasants that fled, at a cost of $20 to $200 per bird.
