Dumped Domestic Ducklings Saved By Firefighters, Animal Control

BRANFORD, CT — Animal control officers tried unsuccessfully Thursday to capture two baby ducks that had been dumped by someone. But firefighters saved the day and the ducklings this morning.

As was explained on the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter Facebook page, they'd gotten a report that two baby domestic ducks were dumped at the Supply Pond. They appeared to be four to six months old.

"Domestic ducks cannot fly, are cared for by humans —meaning provided with food and shelter —and cannot fight off predators. Just because they are a duck does not mean it is OK to dump them in the wild."

Animal shelter staffers and officers "tried multiple times to get the ducks yesterday but between dogs being there and other wildlife scaring them, they continually would run back in the water."

On Friday morning, firefighters dove in to help.

"But this morning we reached out to our awesome folks at the Branford Fire Department and they assisted us by pushing the ducks on land so they could be safely captured," the post reads.

"We want to give a great big shout out to our amazing Fire Department for helping these helpless babies (because) without their assistance they would have been killed by predators or the conditions they were being exposed to. Every life does matter and we are so grateful to them for caring and assisting us," animal shelter staff wrote.

And noted that this practice is not uncommon, sadly.

"As we approach Easter many people think its "cute' to buy chicks, ducks or bunnies as pets and every year they are abandoned at places like Youngs Pond and the Supply Pond," they wrote. "It is cruel and unfair. These animals depend on us for care and NO animal should be considered a gift. If you hear of someone who is going to abandon an animal please ask them to call us so we can at least provide some resource guidance. While we cannot take in every animal at our shelter, we will do our best to assist them so the animals do not suffer."

Staff at the shelter praised the Branford Fire Department and Branford Animal Control officers for "never giving up and caring about all animals lives!"