Overview
- Video and witness accounts show 71-year-old Randall Lee Bertsch allegedly grabbed mallard ducklings from a community pool on May 13 and used a blue plastic recycling bin to beat them, killing one and severely injuring another.
- Irvine police arrested Bertsch at his home after the May 13 incident and he initially posted $20,000 bail before prosecutors sought tougher measures.
- On June 25 prosecutors filed two felony counts of animal cruelty, three felony counts of attempted animal cruelty, one misdemeanor count of harassment of animals, and five felony weapon-use enhancements for use of a trash bin.
- A judge approved the district attorney’s request to raise bail and Bertsch is now wanted on a $50,000 arrest warrant as the Animal Cruelty Unit moves the case through pretrial steps.
- Prosecutors cite the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act in their case, the injured duckling was treated for severe head trauma at a veterinary clinic, and a conviction on all counts could carry up to seven years and six months in jail.