ST. PAUL, Minn.—The man accused of tearing the head off a tame duck at a St. Paul hotel has been put on administrative leave from his job at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a government spokesman said.
Scott Clark, 26, of Denver, was in the Twin Cities on government business and was staying at the Embassy Suites, where he was arrested early Saturday morning. He has been charged with felony animal cruelty.
Clark is an auditor with the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Department spokesman Don White said Clark began working for the office about a year ago.
Clark allegedly chased the duck that was swimming in an artificial pond in the hotel lobby, cornered it and tore off its head. He then allegedly told onlookers that he was hungry and was going to eat the duck.
The criminal complaint filed in the case said Clark told officers after his arrest that he worked for the government and “would have the officers’ jobs.”
Authorities have said they believe Clark had been drinking.
