Two ducklings are dead, and one is at a Bay area veterinary clinic, after a Largo man is accused of intentionally running them over.
Content warning: animal cruelty.
Witnesses told BN9 that watching James Clairmont slow down for a speed bump and then accelerate towards a brood of ducklings playing in a shallow puddle was “very upsetting” to them, and to some children who also saw what happened.
The incident happened on Monday night, and police said that Clairmont, 56, was arrested on a felony animal cruelty charge and released on a $5,000 bond.
According to an arrest report, Clairmont — who police say appeared to be highly intoxicated with slurred speech when they spoke to him two hours after the incident — was unable to explain the blood and feathers on his tires. He also told police that there were never any ducklings on the road.
Clairmont was previously arrested by Pinellas authorities in April 2018 after leaving the scene of a crash involving property.
Psychology Today (PT) says that people commit intentional animal torture and cruelty (IATC) for several reasons, including religious animal sacrifice, “artistic” sacrifice and antisocial/psychopathic personality disorders.
“Additionally, there is some research showing that in some circumstances, IATC is sometimes used to coerce, control and intimidate women and/or children to be silent about domestic abuse within the home,” the website says. “Although any animal torture is shocking, arguably the most disturbing type of IATC is that which occurs amongst those with antisocial personality disorders.”
Some of the behavior may be noticeable in children but PT says that the one way way to prevent it is teaching by example.
“Prosocial behaviour by parents and other role models towards animals (such as rescuing spiders in the bath, feeding birds, treating pets as a member of the family) has the potential to make a positive lasting impression on children,” the website wrote.
Follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter to get the most up-to-date news + views. Subscribe to our newsletter, too.
This article appears in Aug 8-15, 2019.