STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 27-year-old man has been charged with torture after he allegedly used a bow and arrow to kill a squirrel in Eltingville.
Jonathan Mangia, 27, allegedly admitted to police that he attacked the squirrel on Tuesday at about 8:40 a.m. at his home on Ridgecrest Avenue, according to police and the criminal complaint.
The suspect had a bow and arrow and shot the projectile directly towards a squirrel that was near a window, according to police.
"That was me," Mangia is quoted as saying in the criminal complaint. "I saw two rocks and threw them gently up there to scare, did not work, then the squirrel gave me a look and I took it personal.
"I shot the squirrel, right after I shot the squirrel, he ran on the power lines halfway across the street then fell down and ran under the van and the squirrel took the arrow out himself and ran into the backyard next door."
The suspect then "got scared" and dropped off the bow at his uncle's house, according to the criminal complaint.
An environmental conservation officer saw the "squirrel lying on the ground and further observed said squirrel to have blood on the squirrel's body and further observed said squirrel to not be moving or breathing."
The environmental conservation officer also saw "blood on the roof and near the window" of the house where the squirrel allegedly was shot.
Mangia is charged with torturing and injuring animals, reckless endangerment and violating a state Environmental Conservation Law, the criminal complaint said.