A New Jersey father has been sentenced to eight months in jail after k+lling a seagull that tried to snatch his daughter’s French fry, a punishment that has triggered outrage among animal rights advocates.
Franklin Ziegler, 30, drew public attention in July 2024 when he was seen holding the headless bird near Surfside Pier at Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks. He later pleaded guilty to third-degree animal cruelty and has already served 262 days in custody, according to reports.
In addition to jail time, Ziegler was fined up to $250. His lawyer, Jack Tumelty, confirmed that Ziegler has now been placed in recovery court, a supervised probation program focused on treating dr¥g and alcohol issues.
He was released from Cape May County Jail on February 12 after entering his guilty plea and is set to undergo outpatient treatment. The case dates back to June 2025, when a grand jury indicted him, a year after he was first charged by North Wildwood police.
However, the sentencing has not sat well with activists. Doll Stanley of In Defense of Animals slammed the punishment as “a sl+p on the wrist,” describing the act as a “brutal” incident carried out in public.
She also pointed to concerns raised by the FBI about links between animal cruelty and broader v+olent behavior, arguing that the court failed to adequately protect the community.
