By Joe Bachman
Editor

STEVENS POINT — A local man is facing over three years imprisonment for causing the death of a family parakeet.

According to reports, on April 11, family of the defendant, 28-year-old Christopher White, visited Stevens Point police to inform them that White had killed their pet parakeet. Prior anger issues have been cited by the family, and because of this latest incident, wanted White out of the house.

On April 10, White had been sleeping, when the parakeet continued to chirp, thereby disturbing him. A family member offered to take the parakeet out of the room due to past instances where White would torture the bird, either by pinching its beak shut, or flicking it in the head.

White instead told the family member to go away, as he grabbed the parakeet and stepped outside for a cigarette. When White returned, he did not have the parakeet with him.

He later told police that he “accidentally” suffocated the bird, and then dumped the bird into the recycling bin.

If convicted, White faces up to three years and six months imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines for the Felony I charge of mistreatment of animals to cause death. His next day in court is set for May 21, and he is currently out on a $150 bond.