REDWOOD CITY, Calif.-
A pair of men are facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly shooting an ostrich that attacked them when they trespassed on a ranch on Halloween.
Timothy McKevitt, 19, and Jonathan Porter, 20, pleaded not guilty in San Mateo Superior Court on Wednesday to the animal cruelty charge and misdemeanor possession of a loaded firearm.
San Mateo County prosecutors said Porter also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Authorities said the men and some friends were drinking Oct. 31 and decided to trespass on a ranch. One of the birds apparently grew incensed and attacked the group and injured both men.
The men later returned to the ranch with a rifle and shotgun and shot and killed the offending ostrich, prosecutors said.
Both men remained in custody on a $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing for the pair was scheduled for Nov. 21.
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Information from: The Oakland Tribune,
