Letter: Ostrich killing solved

On the afternoon of Nov 5, I started out the door with a group of wanted posters my son had created regarding information about the killing of Gaylord the ostrich.

I had put up 3 posters, when twenty minutes later I was alerted by the El Granada liquor store that someone had taken down the first poster I had placed.  I checked on the other two posters, and they had also been taken down. I inquired about who might have taken the posters, and the employees at El Granada Hardware store provided me with a description of a possible suspect and the company car that he was seen leaving in. I went to the Princeton-based business, and from that point on, the investigation began to move rapidly.  Eventually, I talked to two of the six suspects involved in the killing of Gaylord.  Monday morning, I took the information I had attained to the Sheriffs’ Department.  

The following Tuesday morning the suspects were arrested.  Four others suspects were involved but not arrested.  In the early morning hours of October 31st, the six suspects trespassed into the pasture where the ostriches were sleeping.  They said they had hoped to, "pet the ostriches and to see him do his dance."  Apparently, they had teased him into the dance many times before.  In the dark he charged them, inuring several of the suspects.  According to one suspect, "they barely got out with their lives."  Two of the suspects later came back with guns and shot Gaylord seven times.  Two of them have been charged with 3 felony counts.

This is a horrible situation for everyone.  I am sorry these young men could not see what might be the consequence of such an action. On the other hand, some people must go through such hard learning experiences to realize who they are, and what they could ultimately become.  Hopefully Gaylord’s departure was not in vane.  It is my hopes that the persons that ended his life are bettered by the legal punishment that they will ultimately endure. 

In the end, sorry is not good enough, and actions ultimately weigh more than words.  Thank you so much for those of you who donated money, time, and concern to vindicate Gaylord.  He will no doubt live on in spirit and memory. 

As for the remaining two female ostriches, we are considering relocating them to a more secure location.  If you are interested in adopting two female ostriches, or know someone who might be, contact Karen Schmidt at [email protected] or phone 650-346-4819