OCEAN CITY, N.J. (AP) – A Pennsylvania man has been cited by New Jersey environmental officials in the death of a seagull on an Ocean City beach.

Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Bob Considine tells The Press of Atlantic City that 37-year-old Dennis Reagle, of Tarenttum, was issued a summons for possessing exotic or non-game wildlife without a permit.

Reagle told police that he hit the bird with a roll-up towel and broke its wing in July.

He says he was defending his 2-year-old daughter from the seagull, which was pecking at her face as she ate.

Police say Reagle told officers the bird died as he was on his way to a trash can.

Considine says a fine will be determined by municipal court.

It wasn’t known Wednesday if Reagle has an attorney.

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