Is it legal for a public park to release domestic breed ducks?

[madhatterfarms]

I noticed one of my local parks had multiple crested pekins that I assumed were dumped, as they are not wildlife and are pet breeds that cannot survive in the wild. I contacted a local duck rescue that said if I could bring the ducks to them, they would care for them. I also have numerous pet ducks, so it was quite obvious to me that they were not considered wildlife.

I contacted the county parks department to see if I could take them, and they told me to call my local county animal control office to confirm it would be okay. Animal control told me as long and I know they are domesticated ducks and not wild ducks, I could take them no problem.


I went and caught all four of them and took them home to my farm until I could take them to the rescue the next day. Around 8:00am, three Sherriff cars pulled up to my house and said I was in trouble for taking the ducks. I told them I spoke with animal control, they then spent 10 min on the phone and came back saying they did have confirmation that I called, but was given the wrong info. They said the lady who takes care of the park claims they are the park's pets as she released these ducks and the community feeds them. They made me take them back and then banned me from the park for life. I was told if I didn't return them, I would receive 4 misdemeanor larceny charges for trying to rescue these ducks....


I thought it was illegal to release/introduce domestic pet breeds to public parks and wild spaces as they can't defend themselves and disrupt the natural ecosystem.

Any thoughts? Can the park actually release domestic ducks to the ecosystem? She said they take them to the vet and feed them. To me it sounds like shes using public funds to have her own pet ducks in a public park.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I am suspicious of this “lady who takes care of the park.” What is that? Is she the Pond Princess? It would seem the Parks Dept or some similar entity would be in charge of caring for the park. It does seem very odd and illegal. It’s one thing to abandon a domesticated animal (pretty sure that’s illegal) but it sounds like this Pond Princess is treating a public park like her own personal menagerie. What state/city are you in?

 

[madhatterfarms]

I am suspicious of this “lady who takes care of the park.” What is that? Is she the Pond Princess? It would seem the Parks Dept or some similar entity would be in charge of caring for the park. It does seem very odd and illegal. It’s one thing to abandon a domesticated animal (pretty sure that’s illegal) but it sounds like this Pond Princess is treating a public park like her own personal menagerie. What state/city are you in?

I love the new name- Pond Princess. And I'm in Winston-Salem, NC. I can't believe she tried to get me arrested for rescuing the ducks.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I love the new name- Pond Princess. And I'm in Winston-Salem, NC. I can't believe she tried to get me arrested for rescuing the ducks.

I’m in NC too. I haven’t been to Winston-Salem but it seems too big for one person to be in charge of the park…if she “released” them they aren’t wild. That’s all there is to it. I would contact the parks dept again (and go as high up as you can) because what will those ducks do in the winter? Migrate? I don’t know anything about ducks so I couldn’t tell a wild one from a domestic one. Clearly the Pond Princess can. I am so invested in this now lol. My old neighborhood had lots of ponds with ducks. Wild ducks. That can spread bird flu but don’t really die of it. Where did she get them and was bird flu present there? Is she spreading it all over willy-nilly? Ahhh so many questions!!

 

[Slothinc]

That is insane that they banned you from the park - after you were told by animal control to take the ducks. Absolutely ridiculous!

 

[DuckDuckPromise]

Recordings and names of who you spoke with always seems to help!! I have no clue about your situation, as far as what is legal and what is not, so praying for you on that!! But definitely record phone calls, record in person conversations, and keep a journal with times, names of who you spoke to, what division they’re in, the works! You never know how it could help! Just a friendly suggestion!! Prayers!

 

[madhatterfarms]

I’m in NC too. I haven’t been to Winston-Salem but it seems too big for one person to be in charge of the park…if she “released” them they aren’t wild. That’s all there is to it. I would contact the parks dept again (and go as high up as you can) because what will those ducks do in the winter? Migrate? I don’t know anything about ducks so I couldn’t tell a wild one from a domestic one. Clearly the Pond Princess can. I am so invested in this now lol. My old neighborhood had lots of ponds with ducks. Wild ducks. That can spread bird flu but don’t really die of it. Where did she get them and was bird flu present there? Is she spreading it all over willy-nilly? Ahhh so many questions!!

Come to find out the Pond Princess is a retired Sherriff.... and they can't migrate as they can't fly and when they breed with local wild ducks the offsprings are less adapt to make it in the wild as well. So many reasons this shouldn't happen and extremely ridiculous she tried to have me arrested...I will update any more info that I come across.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Whoa. Is Boss Hogg the mayor?

 

[DLA]

Come to find out the Pond Princess is a retired Sherriff.... and they can't migrate as they can't fly and when they breed with local wild ducks the offsprings are less adapt to make it in the wild as well. So many reasons this shouldn't happen and extremely ridiculous she tried to have me arrested...I will update any more info that I come across.

Sounds like it's time for you to get the neighbors together and show up at town hall meetings and start questioning some things and get some accountability. Retired Sherriff or not does not give the right or authority to be doing these things with the ducks or to you.

 

[nuthatched]

Time to get on Facebook and make a stink.
I'm serious.
Put exactly what you put here, highlight that the ducks were dumped illegally, that doing so is animal neglect.
That they won't survive out there long and even though you went through proper channels, that you were banned because you were given wrong information (I'd bet the information is fine) by those channels, because of trying to rescue them and turned in by the very individual that cruelly dumped them there in the first place.
And that, being abandoned animals/property, no one can press charges for theft nor can you be banned for a non felony/non offense from a public place.
Give me some time and I'll dredge up that areas laws.

Edit: I wouldn't admit to knowing who it was.