Florida man stomps on ducklings that wandered into his yard, police say

MELBOURNE, Fla. -- (WKMG) -- Police said a man has been charged with beating four ducks — three of them ducklings — to death with a stick.

Magdiel Marrero-Pena, 41, of the 3500 block of Mount Carmel Lane, Melbourne, was charged with four counts of cruelty to animals, News 6 partner Florida Today reported.

Officers found the ducks late Monday morning in the man's backyard. Neighbors made the call to 911.

"I think this guy really has some issues and I just felt that I had to call you, he's going to start, may start killing neighbors next," a witness told a 911 operator.

Marrero-Pena told officers he beat the adult duck with a stick and stomped on the ducklings, Melbourne police said. He told officers the adult duck had wandered onto his property and attacked him.

Police also charged him with violating a city ordinance that designates Melbourne as a wildlife sanctuary and prohibits animals from being intentionally killed and injured.

Marrero-Pena remained at the Brevard County Jail Tuesday in lieu of $20,250 bail.