Jonathan Mangia allegedly told police that he "gently" threw two rocks at the animal in an effort to scare it off, but the squirrel wouldn't budge.
A New York man was arrested for shooting an arrow at a squirrel he claimed had given him a “look,” authorities said.
Jonathan Mangia, 27, spotted the squirrel sitting near his Staten Island home from a window and went outside to get it off his property at about 8:40 a.m. on May 2, a criminal complaint obtained by SILive.com said.
Mangia allegedly told police that he “gently” threw two rocks at the animal in an effort to scare it off, but the squirrel wouldn’t budge.
“Then the squirrel gave me a look and I took it personal,” Mangia allegedly said.
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Mangia used a bow and arrow to shoot the animal, which ran along a power line before falling to the street, according to police.
He told cops that the squirrel removed the arrow from its body and ran into a next door neighbor’s backyard.
Great job PO Kosinski & Pollakis along w @NYSDEC Ofcrs arresting the #SquirrelHunter. Save archery for the range #IllegalHunting #DEC pic.twitter.com/UL2HpdRWsY
— NYPD 122nd Precinct (@NYPD122Pct) May 2, 2017
After the incident, Mangia “got scared” and left the weapon at his uncle’s house, the complaint said.
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An environmental conservation officer spotted the dead squirrel and noticed blood on the roof and near the window of the home where it was allegedly shot, SILive.com wrote.
Mangia was charged with torturing and injuring animals, reckless endangerment and violating a state Environmental Conservation Law, officials said.
His bail was set at $1,500 cash. He is next due in court on June 27, online records show.
InsideEdition.com has reached out to Mangia’s attorney for comment.
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