Fan found guilty of trying to punch Crystal Palace's (real) eagle mascot
A Charlton Athletic fan, Daniel Boylett, has been found guilty of trying to punch Crystal Palace's mascot, Kayla, during a match in 2015. To make matters worse, this wasn't some doofus mascot in a giant costume. Kayla is, in fact, a real-life American bald eagle.
So, to put it plainly, Boylett tried to punch an actual bird.
He seemingly failed in his attempt, but the court found the 36-year-old guilty of attempted damage for the attack on Kayla as well as guilty of violent disorder, per the BBC. Boylett was released on bail and will be sentenced on April 28.
Prosecutor Daniel Higgins said Kayla's handler, Chris Belsey, was walking around the pitch at Selhurst Park with the mascot when Boylett reached over the barrier took a swing. It's unknown if he connected or not, but fortunately Kayla "seemed unhurt." If the punch landed with any force it could have been problematic, given Kayla's soft bone structure, Higgins said.
When mascots and fans interact, it's usually a positive experience. Even when there are hijinks going on, normally it's all in good fun ... except for the people who don't know where the line is.
Boylett is clearly one of those people.
