PETA offers $5K for tip leading to koi abusers

(July 28, 2023) PETA is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of five suspects who were recorded abusing koi fish earlier this month from a pond at an Ocean City home.

Members of the Ocean City Police Department have been investigating the incident, which happened just before 3 a.m. on July 1, but have no leads.

According to reports, a group of five males reportedly stopped at a home in the 10 block of 77th Street. Surveillance video showed the group trespassing as they entered a privately fenced-in koi fish pond area.

The video included footage of the individuals removing several fish from the pond, tossing them around, chasing each other, and using a shovel in the pond. The release said one of the fish that was removed from the pond did not survive.

The group of males also reportedly appeared to be photographing and/or filming the incident.

This week, members of PETA have stepped up to ask for the public’s help by offering the reward.

“Fish feel pain and fear just as cats, dogs, and these young misfits do, yet the men laughed as they tormented these animals who were slowly suffocating in their hands,” PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien said in a release. “PETA urges anyone with information to come forward immediately before more animals are hurt or killed.”

Police issued descriptions of the men in the video, which were as follows:

• White male; 18-25 years old; short, light brown hair; wearing a black t-shirt with yellow writing on the front, dark blue shorts and carrying a shovel

• White male; 18-25 years old; wearing a black ball cap, gray t-shirt, gray shorts and white Crocs

• Hispanic male; 18-25 years old; black hair; wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts

• Hispanic male; 18-25 years old; brown hair; wearing a white t-shirt, black shorts and gray sneakers

• Hispanic male; 18-25 years old; black hair; wearing a black t-shirt, gray pants and carrying a beach chair

The Ocean City Police Department originally posted still photos of the suspects on social media accounts, hoping someone would recognize them, or that the individuals would come forward.

The surveillance video was also updated to the Ocean City Police Department’s YouTube page at youtube/SCkGVvea-ic. The video is considered graphic and shows the individuals harming the fish.

Reports said the Ocean City police are taking the incident seriously and exhausting all efforts to bring the fish owners some closure and justice. Anyone who can identify the subjects in the video, is asked to contact PFC E. Rhode at erhode@oceancitymd.gov, or the Ocean City Police Department at 410-723-6610.

Anonymous tips may be left by phone at 410-520-5136, or electronically at oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/police/crime-tips. Tipsters are asked to reference case number 2023-00-2813.