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Cops: Man Intentionally Ran Over, Killed Ducklings With His Hummer

ANN ARBOR (WWJ/AP) - An Ann Arbor man has been charged with felony animal cruelty after authorities say he deliberately ran over and killed four ducklings with a Hummer in a fast food restaurant parking lot.

Dillon Pearce, 19, was charged Tuesday in the 15th District Court in Ann Arbor with one count of killing/torturing animals.

Ann Arbor police say he ran over four of at least eight ducklings a McDonald's parking lot on Monday evening. He was arrested at a nearby gas station.

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the suspect's lawyer claims the suspect was actually trying to rescue the ducklings in the busy lot and had suggested to employees that they move the nest.

David Nacht claims his client was parked and eating lunch with his friends when they spotted the ducklings and had taken "active steps to try to protect them." It was during a second tour of the restaurant's drive-thru lane that Peare apparently ran over the ducks unknowingly. Employees then called the police.

Nacht called the charges "absolute baloney."

If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison.

Pearce was arraigned Tuesday and was freed after posting bond.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for May 4.

(Copyright 2011 - The Associated Press contributed to this report.  All Rights Reserved.)

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