Need advice please don't judge

[Quack Addict]

A federal judge and prosecutor will not give a hoot about her intentions or sincerity.

 

[newfoundland]

Since it has not been established that this is in fact a wild duck, as opposed to one that may have been bought and later abandoned, i don't see the problem. It is for the law to prove guilt in any case and I don't think there is or could ever be sufficient evidence to prove that beyond reasonable doubt!

 

[DenverDucky]

Since it has not been established that this is in fact a wild duck, as opposed to one that may have been bought and later abandoned, i don't see the problem. It is for the law to prove guilt in any case and I don't think there is or could ever be sufficient evidence to prove that beyond reasonable doubt!

Despite the good intentions, the problem is there is nothing to back up that this is a cpuld be a captive-bred, domesticated mallard. If it was a legally bought and marked mallard it would be easily established that it was abandoned. But because there is nothing marking it and it was found in the wild, the OP should have been calling a wildlife rehab, not take it and keep it. Unmarked mallards found in the wild will be viewed as wild unless it is properly marked. That's the evidence they will look at, not how tame the duckling is.

 

[missnu01]

Despite the good intentions, the problem is there is nothing to back up that this is a cpuld be a captive-bred, domesticated mallard. If it was a legally bought and marked mallard it would be easily established that it was abandoned.  But because there is nothing marking it and it was found in the wild, the OP should have been calling a wildlife rehab, not take it and keep it. Unmarked mallards found in the wild will be viewed as wild unless it is properly marked. That's the evidence they will look at, not how tame the duckling is.

I super super highly doubt that anyone will look into it at all ever...

 

[missnu01]

And how is a duck marked to show it is domesticated? Whose to say this duck wasn't a pet someone no longer wanted...? I have known 2 different people that have with game warden permission raised up clutches of wild ducks...one neighbor her dog killed a mama duck so she called to see what she could do to save the babies..they told her what to do, there was no mention of illegality...another lady found only one duck egg near a pond by an apartment complex my mom lived in. She called the game wardens and they told her what to do to take care of it....

 

[jonhpdx]

I super super highly doubt that anyone will look into it at all ever...

100% agree. Seriously people, how many times have you heard the police calling someone about a wild mallard in their possession? It's one bird, it's not like she's hoarding them. I don't even understand why this is a discussion. I understand she asked the question, but 5 pages of responses over a questionably legal duckling that no one will ever notice being gone? C'mon.

 

[missnu01]

Murders go unsolved, nobody's checking people's duck licenses

 

[jak2002003]

It would be a sad and disturbing example for America, if there was a situation where there was a lady with a duck in a courthouse facing criminal charges!!!

Its almost like a comedy show.

If it happened you could take it out into the street - shoot it, then serve it up to everyone - because it would not be illegal to shoot it, only to love and care for it. Crazy world.

 

[Quack Addict]

Fine, you don't agree with a particular law, there are some I don't agree with either. But, the correct approach is to work to get the law changed, not advise someone to break that law. We have the wildlife laws that we do so that future generations will be able to enjoy it also. How many of the folks that have been telling her is is fine to ignore the law will be there in court if she does get cited?

 

[DenverDucky]

Considering the fact the OP has made it public that they found a mallard duckling in the wild and there is a member who announces that they turn people in for violating poultry laws, there is always a possibility that US FWS already is aware of this. I have also read about the seizure of wild mallards in residencies. Personally I would rather inform the OP about the laws pertaining to this as well as the consequences of getting caught.. All the others who think that the law doesn't matter or shouldn't be a factor, taking a unmarked mallard from the wild carries a fine up to $15,000 and/or 6 months in jail. As well as confiscation. If someone really cared about animals they would seek to do what is legal and in the best interest of the duckling, not themselves!