Florida man arrested for kicking swans at Lake Eola while practicing karate

A Florida man was arrested Thursday morning for kicking swans at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando while practicing karate.

According to the arrest report, multiple witnesses told Orlando Police officers they saw 34-year-old Rocco Mantella of Jacksonville, leave the main walkway at Lake Eola Park at around 9:20 a.m. to kick two swans – one in

 the backside and another in the head “as hard as possible,” while practicing karate.

One witness said they heard Mantella laugh when he noticed her reaction to the swan-kicking.

Another witness said they also saw Mantella kick a sleeping duck.

Officers were unable to locate the animals that were allegedly kicked. 

Mantella was charged with animal cruelty and is now being held on $1,000 bail. 

Stay on top of Orlando news and views. Sign up for our weekly Headlines newsletter.  

This article appears in Apr 25 – May 1, 2018.