LONG BEACH, Wash. — The man who intentionally ran over and killed 25 seagulls last month has been summoned to court on multiple charges, including first-degree animal cruelty and reckless driving.
Honolulu resident James Shepard Travis, 64, has been summoned for a Sept. 13 court hearing in South Bend, Wash. Travis had been attending a high school reunion with his wife and had rented the car, according to an incident report.
On July 27, witnesses reported a man driving a silver four-door Jeep, which had California license plates, about two miles south of the Klipsan Beach approach. He ran over a flock of seagulls, killing 25, then nearly hit two people walking their dogs on the beach. The birds that remained alive after being struck later died.
The incident report stated that when confronted by witnesses, Travis "kept saying sorry in a monotone voice."
After a community member posted about the incident, along with photos, on Facebook, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials identified the driver and attempted to contact him multiple times.
