Man accused of killing duckling, throwing it at girl in Barboursville, court records say

BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (WCHS) — A man is accused of killing an injured duckling that was being rehabilitated by a woman and her daughter in Barboursville, court records said. Matthew D. Burks, 35, is charged with cruelty to animals stemming from an alleged incident at a home in Barboursville on Aug. 29, according to a criminal complaint filed in Cabell County Magistrate Court. **The following details include descriptions of an animal's death, which some readers may find disturbing.** The woman told investigators Burks was upset about a separate situation when he grabbed the duckling that her juvenile daughter was rehabilitating and slammed it on the floor multiple times, killing it. According to the complaint, the daughter was upset over the incident and, when trying to leave, knocked over a soda bottle. Burks told the girl to clean it up and then allegedly threw the dead bird at her. Deputies said they noticed feathers and blood on the kitchen floor where the alleged incident took place. Photo evidence of the dead animal was also provided. The dead duckling was found in the trash where Burks is accused of trying to hide it. Investigators said Burks said he did not notice the feathers or blood on the floor and denied killing the animal. Burks is currently being held on a $4,000 bond. He is also accused of violating a protective order.