Rooster gunned down in St. Petersburg

Photo of Gilman the rooster courtesy of Britani Farley]

ST. PETERSBURG -- A man who was bothered by a neighborhood rooster shot and killed the animal this morning, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Neighbors were outraged at the loss of the powerfully voice community pet, which had been nicknamed Gilman after country singer Billy Gilman. Neighbors also were concerned that a gun was fired so close to houses.

Eric Nicastro, 30, of 5000 74th St. N, used a .45-caliber handgun to kill the rooster,  Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jim Bordner said.

Nicastro was cited for improper exhibition of a handgun and trespassing. Bordner said the state attorney's office will decide what he charges should be filed against him.

--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer

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