WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: A man has been jailed after he appeared to go into a ‘daze’ and murder several seagulls with his car while on holiday, leaving bodies in a trail behind him

James Shephard Travis
James Shepherd ran over 25 seagulls(Image: Facebook)

A crazed man on holiday decided to mow down 25 seagulls while in his car – and is now facing 30 days in prison for animal cruelty. James Shephard Travis, 64, pleaded guilty to first-degree animal cruelty and reckless driving after he was caught leaving a trail of dead birds behind him.

The incident took place in Washington, United States, with the sentencing in Pacific County Superior Court. Originally, he faced up to five years in jail and a hefty $10,000 (£7,521) fine, but doubled down by accepting a plea bargain offered by prosecutors

He was locked up the county jail, where he will spend a month reflecting on his crime. There were several witnesses of the seagull massacre, who recounted details of extreme violence.

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seagull murder
Seagull bodies could be seen on the beach(Image: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Travis, who rented a silver Jeep on holiday, was said to have been “drifting sideways past stuck vehicles and people”. He was travelling at more than 50mph.

A mother who was also on the beach said she and her son were almost run over as they took their dogs out for a walk. Travis was said to have run his car up and down the beach, hitting birds as he went.

Originally in court, he claimed there were no signs stating he couldn’t kill birds in an attempt to excuse his actions.

Photos of the crime scene emerged, with a large seagull stuck in the grille of the silver Jeep. Other photos showed several overlapping tyre tracks embedded into the sand, with a trail of seagull corpses on top.

seagull murder
One bird corpse was stuck in the grille of the rental car(Image: Facebook)

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Judge Donald Richter, who was overseeing the trail, deferred 20 days of the 30-day sentence and made Travis eligible for parole after a week behind bars.

Adding to this, he must also complete 160 hours of community service near his home in Hawaii and pay a $750 (£559) fine. He was also banned from owning animals in the future.

Travis was identified by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police through the photos. Witnesses also added that he could be seen behind the wheel of a blood stained car.

James Shephard Travis
Travis’ crime was caught on camera(Image: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Passers-by Kim Ledyard McGee said she, her wife Bob, and friend Dorothy Howard witnessed him speed along the beach and swerve into the birds.

“We watched him plow through the flock without slowing down at all, and did not swerve to avoid any birds,” Howard told police.

A police report stated that Travis was “in a daze” and “kept saying sorry in a quiet, monotone voice… appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.

Travis was in town for the Ilwaco High School class of 1984 reunion and he stayed with his in laws.