Man jailed 8 months for seagull decapitation

Franklin Ziegler, a 30-year-old man from the US, has been sentenced to eight months in jail for decapitating a seagull. The incident occurred on July 6, 2024, on the North Wildwood boardwalk when the bird attempted to steal his daughter's French fries. Witnesses reported Ziegler's rage and subsequent beheading of the seagull.

Ziegler pleaded guilty to third-degree animal cruelty in July 2024. He was released from Cape May County Jail on February 12, 2026, after receiving credit for time already served. His sentence includes a $250 fine and placement into a recovery court program, with probation commencing March 12, 2026.

Animal rights activists have criticized the sentence, calling it a "slap on the wrist." They argue that the brutal act, witnessed by children, warranted a harsher punishment. The FBI's recognition of links between domestic violence and animal cruelty has also been highlighted in the context of Ziegler's case.