A 61-year-old man from Hudson, Florida, has been arrested after authorities say he killed and ate two of his pet peacocks in response to a dispute with a neighbor. According to a complaint filed in Pasco County, the incident began when the man, identified as Craig Vogt, left a letter in his neighbor’s mailbox stating that he had killed the birds because she continued feeding them.
The neighbor told deputies that she and Vogt had previously argued about her feeding the peacocks. In an interview with law enforcement, Vogt admitted to writing the letter “to prove a point.” The complaint states that he killed the birds by cutting their throats before cooking and eating them.
Deputies reported that Vogt also said, “upon his release, he plans to kill all his pet peacocks to prevent anyone from taking custody of them.”
Vogt was arrested on charges of aggravated animal cruelty and booked into the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center. Hudson is located approximately 40 miles northwest of downtown Tampa.
