'Borders on depraved,' says judge to Orlando man accused of attacking Pinky the flamingo

TAMPA, Fla. — A 45-year-old Orlando man was arrested in Tampa Tuesday after he attacked a flamingo at Busch Gardens, the Tampa Police Department said.

Joseph Anthony Corrao is accused of injuring “Pinky” the flamingo so severely that veterinarians at the park’s Animal Care Center decided to euthanize her.

The attack happened at about 6:44 p.m. Tuesday while Corrao was at Busch Gardens' Jambo Junction Animal Viewing Area, Tampa police said.

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In front of several witnesses, Corrao reached into the animal pen, picked up the 19-year-old flamingo and then violently threw her to the ground, investigators said.

Corrao was detained at the scene by park security before police arrived and arrested him, the park said in a statement.

Police in Tampa did not say what they believe prompted the attack.

Pinky, a 19-year-old Chilean flamingo, was one of Busch Gardens’ “animal ambassadors” and would often dance for visitors, the park said on its blog.

Corrao was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and was being held at the Hillsborough County Jail in lieu of a $5,000 bond.

“According to multiple witnesses, one, two, three, four, five witnesses, you threw the bird down to the ground with such force, the bird’s foot was nearly severed,” said the judge.

The judge said Corrao’s mother tried to get him to stop.

“I don’t know who does that, I really don’t. I don’t relate to that, mentally on any level,” the judge told Corrao.

Carrao didn’t say a word as the judge questioned him about the crime.

“It’s beyond senseless. It actually borders on depraved in my opinion, Mr. Corrao. I don’t know if you have any other issues, but I don’t know who does that,” the judge said.

In 2013, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office charged Carrao with aggravated assault and cruelty to animals.

His criminal history goes on for 20 years.

Cox Media Group