Irate Customer Savagely Stomps On, Kills Parakeet After Being Refused Refund

A Dearborn 22-year-old man may face charges after brutally stomping on and killing a bird inside a pet store last week over a refund issue.

CCTV footage from the Critter Pet Shop in Metro Detroit shows the young suspect angrily throwing the live parakeet to the ground before stepping on it violently, after being refused a $30 refund, Fox2 reported. The irate man was reportedly returning the bird because it had an "injury."

"We saw the whole wing was bloody. So we're thinking his bird did it to it or another animal might have done something to the bird so my brother said there's nothing we can do for you with the bird now," said Rick Simms, owner of Critter Pet Shop which has been in Allen Park for more than four decades.

Michael Simms, Rick’s brother who was talking to the customer at the time of the incident, told the man he could try and save the parakeet but could not offer him a refund.

"The bird was in a box, he took his fist, smashed it right on top. Threw the bird off the counter with the smashed box, it probably was already dead, threw him on the ground and stomped him two times with his feet," Simms recounted. "That’s pure anger to stomp a little old parakeet like that."

Authorities have reportedly identified the Detroit suspect as he faces animal cruelty charges for the bird's savage death.

"Nowadays, the level of crazy keeps one-upping itself," Allen Park Police Detective Jim Thorburn said.

Thornburn said he was surprised the incident didn’t escalate into assault and battery as animal lover Simms practiced restraint as he watched the suspect brutally kill the bird in front of his eyes.

Simms said despite his self-control, his brother was dazed after the unfortunate incident.

"He came to my house that night, and his voice was crackling, kind of like mine is right now, because talking about and thinking about what I've seen on that film kind of upsets you," Simms said. "If he’s doing it to an animal, what's he doing to his family or his friends?"

According to the municode of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Chapter 6, Article V. Sec. 6-86 (Cruelty to animals): “No person shall torment, cruelly beat, cruelly kill or otherwise inflict cruelty upon any animal or bird."

A person who violates section 6-86 is guilty of a misdemeanor.