Police explain why teens killed village’s beloved swan without resistance.

Community Outraged After Beloved Swan Slaughtered by Teens

Residents of a small town in upstate New York are seeking justice after a mother swan, known to the community as “Faye,” was brutally killed by three teenagers. The Manlius Police Department announced that the suspects had been arrested in connection to the disappearance of the bird from the Manlius swan pond on Memorial Day.

MANLIUS SWANS: This is Eman Hussan (18) being arrested yesterday by Manlius Police for killing Mama Faye and stealing her four babies.

His 16 and 17-year-old friends also facing charges.

We’re learning disturbing new details. I’ll have the latest at noon on @NewsChannel9 pic.twitter.com/xI1U23iDup

— 𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 (@AdrienneSmithTV) May 31, 2023

The suspects, two minors and 18-year-old Eman Hussan, allegedly jumped a fence sealing off the town’s swan pond in the early morning and killed the nesting mother swan. According to Sgt. Ken Hatter, the suspects held the bird down as she didn’t fight back and decapitated her with a knife. Hussan even smiled and grinned as he was transported in police custody on Wednesday.

The police spokesman indicated that the alleged swan killers ate the animal which they butchered, but he said they weren’t hunting out of hunger or desperation for food. “They did ultimately consume the swan, but I don’t know if that was more cultural beliefs or not. They didn’t really get into that. We didn’t ask specifically… but it did occur and to my knowledge, it did not happen before.”

The youths claimed that they believed the adult swan was “a very large duck,” according to Manlius police. “They did not know that it was not a wild animal. That [it] was actually owned by the Village of Manlius,” Sgt. Hatter said.

Two of the swan’s babies were found at a pet shop and two were recovered from a home in the area. The suspects are facing criminal charges of third-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal mischief, both felonies, as well as misdemeanor charges of fifth-degree conspiracy and third-degree criminal trespass.

Swans Have Been a Part of the Community for Over 100 Years

Swans have been associated with the historic township of Manlius since 1905. Despite the act of animal cruelty, Manlius Mayor Paul Whorrall indicated that it wouldn’t change the township’s association with the waterfowl. “As far as the village goes, we’ve had swans for over 100 years and we’re going to continue to have swans.”

The community is outraged by the senseless killing of Faye and is seeking justice for the beloved swan.

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