To the person who dumped 40 pekins on the side of the road..

[alicefelldown]

Quote:
You said someone was filming the rescue - any chance that footage could go to the local news? Or that CNN iReport thing? I don't see how if everyone knows who did the dumping, they are able to get away with it scot-free. I'm not suggesting a city-wide lynching or anything - but fish & wildlife should be able to fine them for this gross abuse of animal welfare.

 

[Parrotchick]

I think the three ducks I adopted are really liking it here. The "Ducksters", ie the now 8 week old Runners and Pekins, I already had have become friends with the newcomers, and can't wait to come out of their duckhouse in the morning to come see them. The old-timers are getting used to sharing their pen. The newbies still eat and drink a lot, and I finally saw them actually get in the water today. They're still a little dirty in front, but it's getting better. It's 97 degrees here today and I was ready to get in the pool with them.

 

[Puddle Foot Farm]

Parrotchick - Glad to know everything is well with them! Isn't it funny how they are with water? I noticed that sometimes mine REALLY want to get in it, but they aren't sure.. I'm so happy that they found a happy home.

The ducks have gone to bed for the night, but before that they invaded the chicken run. They were making me nervous because they kept popping up in random places because they found the stream and were following it, so I nixed that idea and put them in their house. They complained and berated me until I let them into the enclosed chicken run with a pool in it and food. Then they merely mumbled their insults.

I will be putting a fence up for them tomorrow so I can control their stream-going. The geese use it for dips and then leave usually to play in their pool, but the ducks are obsessed with it and are ignoring their pool. I suppose I will have to give them daily supervised access to the stream, but I get nervous when they're wandering everywhere on the property and haven't even been here for a week.

I would like you all to know that legal action will not be taken, despite how much I would like it to. I am in college though, and no one will listen to me if I have gotten a family that has been good to the community in serious trouble for what people just think are "livestock" around here. My mother has ties to the family and they are down on their luck apparently and their brother, the trucker, is "simple". She has talked to them and ensured that they know that this was inherently wrong and illegal. The whole town has been informed of this too, via gossip. I would love to hurt these people, but I want to go further with this and I want to be able to educate people and have them learn from this. I want to be able to prevent these sort of things and not punish one person once for it. In all honesty, it would take a lot of time and effort into getting them prosecuted with anything because of where we are. The park police technically have jurisdiction over this and tend to not want to be involved in town matters. So, I would have to weave through their hoops for a while, testify, etc.. Instead, I am taking that time and putting it towards contacting news agencies and creating a website where people can learn about this.

I know this is not fair and these people should be charged, but my hands are tied. My mother prefers I don't start a war because things could get nasty with the type of people we have in our town. I love my ducks and I do not like those people and think they should be punished, but having to face their community is a punishment they will have to deal with. Hopefully they will see the publicity I hope to generate and be shameful about it. I want other ducks to get something out of this too, and even if I prevent only a few more dumpings, it's more than I would've if I had dwelled on getting the guy fined/arrested for the entire summer. I wish I could do both, but it's not possible.

PS, I am still saving up all duck poop. it may just happen to fall out in their yard.. WHOOPS!

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

Too bad this did not happen closer to where we live, we would not have any trouble in accepting all of them...people make me so mad when they act irresponsibly where livestock are concerned. If you don't intend to take care of an animal, then don't own one. What an idiot!! You just have to shake your head in utter disbelief on this one.

 

[jjthink]

PFF, that's a very thoughtful note you took the time to write everyone here. However you and your mom choose to handle this, you are still making the world a better place. There is no one right approach and only you and she know the particular complexities involved and how to best move forward to make the most positive difference.

JJ

 

[JosieR]

Yep, dealing with people who "have been good to the community" can be difficult. Unfortunately there are people who feel like because they've been around a long time, or done some good things or have a street named for them, they can do as they please.

Good for you for helping and for focusing your energy on positive things. You know what they say about Karma, they will get what they deserve.

I love the pictures, looks like they're having one adventure after another. Enjoy them !

 

[MysticalMom]

PFF... I completely understand about the small town mentality and those "good" community people. I live in small town USA too so I'm totally with ya on that. Unfortunately there really isn't much you can do. You are doing the right thing in concentrating your energies on the ducks and in maybe educating some people to prevent things like this from happening in your area in the future. You saved 50 ducks!!!!! 50!!!! And that's really something.

I am soooo excited to get mine on Friday I could burst!!!!!

 

[PortageGirl]

PFF,

What is the name and phone number of the feed mill you deal with. Do you have an account with them? I guess it's best if you PM me with the name the account is under, it sounds like they're eating a LOT of feed!

//edit to add, I too live in a small town and understand the politics involved. If nothing else, they'll have to keep a low profile, and also, you guys maintaining the attitude of gracious tolerance will keep you in most people's good books, which is probably best for your mother's business really. I understand some people's attitude of wanting them thrown to the mat over this, but really in a small town, we all have to face each other when we meet on the street.

The less said about it by YOU all, the best... everyone will take sides no matter what, and if you just laugh and tell funny stories about the 50 ducks you worked so hard to find good homes for, and print and carry pictures around to show how nasty they all were, (though to be fair, and you should TRY to be fair) other than being abandoned in a strange food-less place there at the end, they were fed up till that point! Then show how much FUN they were to have at your house, and how NICE they looked after they settled in etc etc etc...

Believe me, passive aggressive is the absolute BEST thing in a small town!!! and ALWAYS smile when you talk about the ducks, letting just a tinge of regret show if the family's name that abandoned them comes up!

Of course, you do realize that now that fish and game, and the park people know you, you may get called out for other similar things?

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
Yeah, and it's people like these dumpers that cause stupid laws to be put into place that ruin things for legit people.

 

[sianara]

Quote:

ditto!!