The 45-year-old Orlando man accused of killing Pinky, a popular dancing flamingo at Busch Gardens last year was deemed incompetent to stand trial by a Hillsborough County judge on Friday, according to the state attorney’s office.
Police said Joseph Carrao picked up Pinky, a Chilean flamingo, at the Tampa Bay amusement park in August and slammed her to the ground. Her leg was nearly severed and she had to be euthanized.
The incident involving the “beloved flamingo” caused outrage on social media and her caretakers. She was known for stomping her feet and going around in a circle.
It’s not clear why Carrao picked Pinky up, but police said other guests told him to stop.
Carrao was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals. He was released on $5,000 bond.
In January, his attorney, filed a motion saying he was mentally ill.
He has another court date scheduled for March 22. It will determine what type of treatment he needs, the state attorney said.
Pinky, who would have turned 20 last September, started dancing when she was 2 in an appearance with Jack Hanna. Over the years, she danced for “countless guests, school groups, media appearances and national television shows," Busch Gardens said.
dharris@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5471 or @DavidHarrisOS
A Polk County jail employee was arrested Thursday after having sex with an inmate that led to her giving birth to a child, officials said.
A Polk County jail employee was arrested Thursday after having sex with an inmate that led to her giving birth to a child, officials said.
A Polk County jail employee was arrested Thursday after having sex with an inmate that led to her giving birth to a child, officials said.
A Polk County jail employee was arrested Thursday after having sex with an inmate that led to her giving birth to a child, officials said.
Officer Matthew Danler is charged with two counts of aggravated battery and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Officer Matthew Danler is charged with two counts of aggravated battery and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle.
An Ocala man stands accused making explosives, hiring a man to plant them, and attempting to blow up Target stores along the east coast — all so that he could buy Target stock at lower prices.
An Ocala man stands accused making explosives, hiring a man to plant them, and attempting to blow up Target stores along the east coast — all so that he could buy Target stock at lower prices.
A grand jury on Wednesday indicted Markeith Loyd in two first-degree murder cases, Ninth Circuit State Attorney Aramis Ayala announced.
A grand jury on Wednesday indicted Markeith Loyd in two first-degree murder cases, Ninth Circuit State Attorney Aramis Ayala announced.
After stealing jewelry, a shotgun, and a pair of Nikes, a a 22-time felon attempts to hold up traffic before deputies apprehend him in the woods.
After stealing jewelry, a shotgun, and a pair of Nikes, a a 22-time felon attempts to hold up traffic before deputies apprehend him in the woods.
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