Driver gets 60-day sentence for running over ducks

7/7/2009

LAFAYETTE, Ind. A man accused of intentionally driving through a flock of birds in a Lafayette park and killing 10 ducks and a goose has been sentenced to 60 days in jail.

A jury convicted 42-year-old Charles Meeks of Indianapolis last month on a misdemeanor charge of illegally killing migratory birds, but acquitted him of felony animal cruelty.

Authorities say that Meeks accelerated and purposely drove through the flock that was eating corn in a parking lot at Columbian Park in November.

The 60-day jail term ordered Monday by Tippecanoe County Judge Les Meade was the maximum sentence allowed. Meeks also was fined $500 and ordered to stay out of Columbian Park.