A community in Pasadena, California, is demanding accountability after a video surfaced appearing to show a mail carrier striking a neighborhood peacock with a rock and a club. The bird, known as Sugar, sustained minor injuries and swelling but no broken bones, according to Pasadena Humane.
The incident was brought to light when a Pasadena schoolteacher, Gina Davis, noticed Sugar appeared disoriented and was refusing to eat or drink. Davis, who had watched over the white peacock for years, checked her home security camera and discovered footage that she described as "horrifying."
The video allegedly shows the postal worker throwing a rock at Sugar after the peacock followed the mailman to his truck. When the bird did not move from in front of the vehicle, the mailman reportedly exited his truck and struck Sugar again with an object that appeared to be a club or stick.
Neighbors reported the incident to Pasadena Humane, whose staff examined the injured bird and took him to their Wildlife Center. Veterinarians found several wounds and swelling, and X-rays confirmed no broken bones. A Pasadena Humane spokesperson stated that Sugar's prognosis is positive, and he will remain under observation.
Animal Control has initiated an animal cruelty investigation and is seeking additional security footage from the area. The U.S. Postal Service has also launched its own investigation into the matter. The mail carrier involved has not been publicly identified.
Kristina Uppal, a USPS spokesperson, told the Los Angeles Times that postal employees in the area have had prior encounters with peacocks and that the service had been collaborating with Pasadena Humane regarding concerns about the birds. "We take allegations of inappropriate conduct seriously and will take appropriate action, as warranted, consistent with Postal Service policies," Uppal stated.
Davis expressed that her primary concern is Sugar's well-being, not necessarily the mail carrier's employment. "I don’t want to see him fired," Davis said. "But I would like to see him given a different route."
Residents of the neighborhood consider Sugar a cherished local figure. The bird may eventually be released back into the neighborhood once he has recovered, though his owners hope he will have a safe environment to return to.