Story Archive

Pledge to Do Better

“This is a terrible and heinous act that has occurred, and inconsistent with the values of our institution,” said Joseph S. Paul, Vice President of the University of Southern Mississippi’s Division of Student Affairs. The actions of a group of Pi Kappa Alpha pledges led to two deaths. “We are not taking this situation lightly,” Paul says. Neither are Hattiesburg’s local authorities: one of the pledges, Devin Nottis, 19, has been charged with trespassing, grand larceny, and animal cruelty. Animal cruelty? Yes: the deaths were of flamingos from the Hattiesburg Zoo. A female was found injured, miles away; it was euthanized. A male died at the zoo; officials think it sustained its injuries in the defense of its mate. Other students may be charged, and the USM chapter of the Pikes has been suspended by both the university and the national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. (AC/Hattiesburg American) ...Kill flamingos and you’re a sitting duck.