New York teenagers charged with stealing and eating swan

Faye, a locally famous swan in Manlius, New York, was reported missing after a Memorial Day parade on Saturday, along with four of her cygnets. Police found two cygnets at a store where one of the suspects worked. The suspect confessed that Faye had been cooked and eaten, police said. The suspect also told police the location of the other two cygnets.

Why did they do it? The teenagers initially believed Faye was “a very large duck,” Manlius police Sgt. Ken Hatter said at a press conference. She was, in fact, a mute swan, a common bird but not native to New York. Swan hunting is illegal in New York. All three teens were charged with grand larceny, criminal mischief, conspiracy, and criminal trespass. Both juvenile suspects were released to their parents. The third suspect, who is 18 years old, awaited arraignment Wednesday.

Dig Deeper: Read Nick Eicher’s report about a less-appreciated swan.