Man Brutally Smashes Bird To Death After Pet Store Refuses Refund [Video]

A 22-year-old man is likely facing animal cruelty charges after he was caught on camera killing a bird inside a pet shop in Wayne County, Michigan.

Rick Simms, owner of Critter Pet Shop in the city of Allen Park, said the man attempted to return a $30 parakeet, WJBK first reported.

Michael, Simms' brother who was behind the counter at the time, tried to offer store credit until he saw the condition of the bird.

"We saw the whole wing was bloody. So we're thinking his bird did it to it, or another animal might have done something so my brother says, 'There's nothing we can do for you with that bird now,'" Simms said.

Michael told the man they could try to save the parakeet but could not give him a refund. The store's surveillance cameras were able to capture the man's response, which was to take his fist and smash it "right on top" of the box containing the bird.

Afterward, the man "threw the bird off the counter with the smashed box - probably was already dead - threw him on the ground and stomped him two times with his feet," Simms said. "That’s pure anger to stomp a little old parakeet like that."

Police were able to identify the man as a resident of Dearborn but have not yet filed charges. The man faces animal cruelty charges for the bird's death.

"Nowadays, the level of crazy keeps one-upping itself all the time," Allen Park Police Department detective Jim Thorburn said of the incident.

Thorburn also applauded Michael's restraint during the encounter, pointing out that the animal lover could have heightened the conflict after witnessing the bird get killed.

"I’m surprised this didn’t escalate into assault and battery. The restraint by the other owner was incredible," Thorburn remarked.

Simms, however, said that Michael was still affected by the incident.

"He came to my house that night and you could tell his voice was crackling kind of like mine is right now - because talking about and thinking about what I've seen on that film, kind of upsets you," he shared.

He was also worried about what the man could do to the people around him knowing what he has done.

"If he's doing it to an animal, what's he doing to maybe his family or his friends?" Simms said.