Local Bird-Killing Hero Convicted

The man accused of killing a flock of seagulls? Well, yesterday he was convicted of killing said seagull flock, and some day soon he will file an appeal.

Judge Deborah Shelton Griffin said she believed the slaughter of 183 seagulls — six later had to be euthanized — was an accident, but in the law’s view she had no choice and had to sentence Daniel Gallagher to a $14,175 fine, $75 for each dead bird.

(You may be asking the same question I am now: Could I just go down to the pier and shoot some seagulls and all I’d have to do is pay $75? Probably not, you’d be charged with weapons violations and the fine could have been higher.)

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will get the fine from the longshoreman, who has since lost his job down at the Packer Marine Terminal (site of the bird massacre) and now works in Camden. But his lawyer has an ace up his sleeve.

“We don’t know that we agree that in this law there is no room for accidentally killing birds,” defense attorney S. Philip Steinberg said outside court after telling the judge he would appeal.

“Had a bird flown into the back of his vehicle, would he then be guilty?” he asked, adding he would argue at appeal that “there has to be some level of . . . intent to be guilty of this crime.”

No, the real question is: Had 189 birds flown into the back of his vehicle, would he then be guilty?

Man to appeal fine for killing gulls [Inquirer]
Sept. 11, 2007: He Ran (So Far Away) But He Couldn’t Get Away

He Ran (So Far Away) But He Couldn’t Get Away

In February of last year, Daniel Gallagher was minding his own business, driving down at the Packer Marine Terminal. And then he turned and — whoops! — he ran over a giant flock of seagulls, killing 189 of them. A very common occurrence. I mean, who hasn’t this happened to?

Gallagher, 50, was in municipal court yesterday, but not to get a medal of commendation for doing the world a favor by killing a bunch of dump gulls. No, he is on trial for killing those infernal birds, which is sort of like being arrested for kicking a pigeon. (Sorry, Sara.)

The prosecution used all its powers to attempt to convict this hero, introducing every piece of evidence except thousands of letters to Santa Claus.

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Quickies: Flock of dead seagulls

• Money line from the NBC 10 story about two teens who “brutally” killed a seagull: “My heart goes out to any animal. I may not have them all in my home, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care.” And here you thought we only liked animals we personally had in our homes. [NBC 10]

• Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann rarely votes, but no race in his district ever ended within one vote, so it’s not like staying home affected any elections. [Inky]

• Which architect would Philadelphia get for the Kimmel Center? Only one they would sue later for damages, citing losses of $23 million. Oh, and the architect has now sued his subcontractors. [Inky]

• Philadelphians love complaining so much they keep complaining even when they told they’re in the wrong place. [Metro]