Golfer to Enter Plea for Bird Killing

Taking down birdies, totally acceptable. Throwing down a big eagle, absolutely justified. Killing a hawk, nope, that, sir, is crossing the line.

When Birds and Sports Collide

PGA golfer Tripp Isenhour is expected to enter a plea on charges after killing an endangered hawk with a golf shot in March. It wasn't the first time birds have intersected with the world of sports. Click through to see the more infamous incidents in history.

Arnulfo Franco, AP

Last April, a schoolgirl touring Fenway Park was injured after an attack by a resident red-tailed hawk. Alexa Rodriguez, a middle school student, was touring the ballpark when she came within 40 feet of a nest the hawk had built on an overhang near the press box.

Winslow Townson, AP

In August 1983, former Yankees star Dave Winfield, right, was arrested after a game against the Blue Jays. In the middle of the fifth inning, Winfield had tossed the ball to a batboy, but the ball killed a seagull. He was charged with cruelty to animals.

Bill Becker, AP

Former Braves outfielder Dion James, left, is perhaps best remembered for an accident during a 1987 game when a fly ball off his bat hit and killed a bird in flight. James was still credited with a double on the play.

Ronald C. Modra, Sports Imagery/Getty Images

During cricket's 1999 World Cup, two pigeons met their ends in the match between India and Australia at The Oval. Here, fieldsman Michael Slater attempts to capture a bird that was feeding close to the wicket.

William West, AFP/Getty Images

Randy Johnson is no stranger to bouts with wildness, but in 2001 one of the lefty's pitches struck and killed a dove in the seventh inning of a spring training game. "It's crazy. There's still feathers down there," said his catcher, Rod Barajas.

Brian Bahr, Getty Images

Formula One driver Jenson Button ran into two birds in a matter of weeks in early 2000. In the first incident, Button was lucky to escape unhurt after the bird smashed into the air-box just above his head while driving at 160 mph.

Marcus Brandt, Bongarts/Getty Images

Tennis players Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro celebrated their doubles win in the 2002 Australian Open, yet the match received more notice when Llodra's forehand struck and killed a bird that chased a moth across the arena. See Video

Toru Yamanaka, AFP/Getty Images

Professional golfer Tripp Isenhour is expected to enter a plea on charges of intentionally killing an endangered hawk after the hawk just wouldn't shut its trapper on the golf course.

Isenhour entered a written plea of not guilty in March. The 40-year-old is charged with animal cruelty and killing a migratory bird. He's accused of hitting a hawk with a golf shot at the Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando when the bird's loud chirps interrupted the filming of an instructional video.

We've all had our eruptions on the golf course (absolutely perfect example) and I'm pretty sure we all will again before we're covered with dirt, but to do it when filming an instructional video. Really, Tripp? You're filming a video to help people and you get mad enough to kill a bird? That is some deep, rich hatred my friends.

Also, if you're going to kill said bird, I'd avoid Florida at all cost.

The charges carry a combined 14 months in jail and $1,500 in fines.

That is some heavy justice there. In the world we live in today, you can do a lot of shenanigans and not get 14 months in the slammer. I guess when you go after those beautiful creatures you better be ready for the backlash.

Sounds like a perfect time to mention Isenhour's next instructional video -- "How not to kill things people actually care about; a look at rolly pollys, Grandaddy Long Legs and Amy Winehouse."