Three youngsters have been arrested after a swan was stolen from a pond before it was killed and then eaten.
According to police, the "much loved" swan, called Faye, and her four cygnets seemingly disappeared from a pond in the village of Manlius, in New York state, last weekend, the Daily Mail reports.
Following the release of an appeal to find the animals, a local spotted two of the baby swans in a shop in nearby Salina and alerted the police, according to Manlius police Sergeant Ken Hatter.
One of the suspects, who was employed at the store, admitted to the crime, along with the two other teenagers, officials said.
It was also reported that other two swans were located at the first suspect's home, over 11 miles away in the city of Syracuse.
Three teenagers were arrested on Tuesday on charges including grand larceny and criminal mischief in relation with the incident, Sgt. Hatter said.
Faye was "brought to an aunt's house and the aunt prepared it," and the swan was then eaten. "The mother swan was consumed, sad to say, but that's what they did," Manlius Mayor Paul Whorrall said on Wednesday.
For more than 10 years, Faye had lived in the Manlius village pond and each spring would hatch and raise cygnets.
She was donated in 2010 by biologist and self-described "swan guru" Michael Bean.
Hunting swans is legal in some US states but not in New York, where the crime took place.
"The swans have been a part of this village for well over 100 years," Whorrall said. "We're known for our swans."
The village of Manlius has a swan insignia on its website and also on merchandise such as hats and T-shirts.
Two of the suspects, aged 16 and 17, were allowed to go home to their parents because they are minors, police said.
The third suspect, who is 18 years old, is waiting for their first appearance in court.
In a press conference on Wednesday morning, authorities said the suspects hopped over a fence in the middle of the night to capture Faye before holding her down and killing her. The suspects allegedly killed Faye at the pond and then brought her home to eat with family and friends.
Despite eating the swan, the family and friends of the suspect told police they were not aware it a swan but instead believed it to be a very large duck and were also unaware that it was a wild animal.
Officials said the teenagers "didn't necessarily show remorse" but most likely regret their actions. They claim they did not know that the swan was considered a mascot of the village.
"They did not have any idea of the significance the swans had on this community."