Man charged with sexually abusing his pet peacock

Authorities in DuPage County, Illinois say a Roselle man sexually abused his pet peacock, which later was found dead in his garage.

David Beckmann, 64, was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty after Roselle police said they learned about the abuse and subsequent death of the bird, named Phyl, while investigating another crime.



On Wednesday, Beckmann was booked at the DuPage County jail on separate misdemeanor charges of battery and attempted indecent solicitation of a child. Roselle police declined to talk about the animal cruelty charge because they said it's part of the case with the child. But a spokesman with the state's attorney's office confirmed Beckmann is accused of sexually abusing the peacock.

When and how Phyl died is unclear. But Roselle police indicated they saw the bird's body in the garage of Beckmann's home on the night of April 28. Police had seen the bird alive at the home before that date. Beckmann is being held at the county jail on $10,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on June 12.