Teenagers arrested after slaughtering and eating a swan, symbol of New York City

Three teenagers in upstate New York killed and ate a beloved female swan and stole her cubs on Memorial Day (May 29). The edition told in more detail Fox News.

Three friends - aged 16, 17 and 18 - told police that they thought the female swan Fay was a big duck and did not know that she belonged to the city of Manlius.

"The teenagers didn't know it was a swan, nor did they know it was a wild animal that actually belonged to the city," said Ken Hutter, a Manlius police sergeant.

The 18-year-old was identified as Eman Hussan from Syracuse. All three are charged with a serious crime - theft on an especially large scale and criminal infliction of harm, as well as conspiracy to commit an offense and criminal assault.

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According to the police, the boys claimed that early on May 29 they were on a “hunt”: they jumped over the fence around the pond, killed Faye and stole her four cubs. The teens then took Fay's carcass to their home to eat and planned to keep the four young swans as pets.

Male Manny was left alone in the pond.

Numerous clues led the police to the whereabouts of the two baby swans at Shop City Plaza in Salina.

Further investigation led officers to the location of two more chicks at a private home in Syracuse.

All four baby swans are now in the care of a biologist "who ensures the health and well-being of these majestic birds in Manlius," police said.

Hussan was prosecuted and released on bail. His trial is set for June 15. Two minors were handed over to their parents with a notice of appearance in court.

Manlius is a small city located about 10 miles (16 km) east of Syracuse with a population of about 4600.

Swans have long been a symbol of the city since their first appearance on the pond at the beginning of the XNUMXth century.