LEWISTON – A Webster Street man was indicted Tuesday on charges that he killed a pet bird while fighting with his girlfriend.
John C. Robertson, 28, of 25 Webster St., was indicted by the Androscoggin County grand jury on charges of assault and aggravated cruelty to animals.
Police say Robertson assaulted his girlfriend Feb. 15 and threw her pet bird to the floor, killing it, during an argument. It was unknown Tuesday night what kind of bird it was.
Robertson was originally charged in the bird death with cruelty to animals. The charge was later upgraded to aggravated cruelty based on an account of the killing given by the bird owner, police said.
If convicted on both counts, Robertson could be given a stiffer penalty for the killing of the bird than the alleged assault on his girlfriend. Aggravated cruelty is a Class C felony. The charge of assault is a Class D misdemeanor.
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