'Dumped' Domestic Duck At Hamptons Rescue Has Easter Message: Advocate

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — With Easter approaching, animal advocates are speaking out about the many who think ducks and chicks make adorable holiday gifts — but then, abandon them soon after.

Right now, there's an abandoned Khaki Campbell duck at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays who was found dumped in a Long Island yard —and was brought to the rescue for a second chance, John Di Leonardo, president and executive director of Humane Long Island, told Patch.

"She was scared, emaciated, and all alone," he said. "This time of year, we get calls about lots of dumped domestics, often last year's Easter gifts being discarded to make way for new chicks or duckling."

Humane Long Island, he said, "is reminding the public that animals are not Easter photo props."

Humane Long Island is busy, Di Leonardo said, rescuing domestic ducks, chickens, and bunnies who were last year's discarded Easter gifts and is urging the public not to "condemn more animals to the same fate" by using them as live decorations or giving them as gifts.

"With Easter around the corner, Humane Long Island is reminding the public that the only animal who belongs in an Easter basket is a stuffed animal or one made of delicious vegan chocolate," Di Leonardo said. "Ducks, chicks, and bunnies require daily care, safe housing, specialized veterinary care, and a 10-year commitment. Yet, when they’re sold to impulsive customers, they first end up in Easter baskets, and next, abandoned in local parks where they're unable to survive."

Humane Long Island said, that like "companion and farmed animals, domestic ducks, chickens, and bunnies" were domesticated by humans thousands of years ago.

Years of selective breeding have produced animals vastly different from their wild counterparts, both physiologically and psychologically, just like dogs and wolves, he said.

"Bred for either egg or meat production, domestic ducks have tiny wings, large bodies and generally no camouflage. They typically cannot fly, and they can never migrate — literally sitting ducks for predators and cruel people when abandoned to the wild," he added.

Di Leonardo also spoke out about businesses on Long Island charged for selling day-old baby chicks last year.

uffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced last year that multiple Suffolk County businesses had been charged with misdemeanors for selling day-old baby chicks in quantities less than allowable by New York State law.

Restrictions on the sale of baby chicks, ducklings, other fowl, and bunnies are set forth in New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, section 354, which states in part that "no person shall sell, offer for sale, barter or give away living baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl or baby rabbits under two months of age in any quantity less than six," the DA said.

The law also prohibits the sale, "offer for sale, barter or display living baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl or baby rabbits which have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated, so as to impart to them an artificial color."

Any violation of this law may result in a misdemeanor charge punishable with up to one year in jail and a $500 fine, the DA said.

Members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney squad investigated businesses that were illegally selling baby chicks, and subsequently made multiple arrests including, Tierney said:

• Long Island Poultry – On March 3, 2023, Suffolk County Police Department detectives entered Long Island Poultry, located in Calverton, and purchased four baby chicks which were only a few days old. On April 4, 2023, Long Island Poultry was charged with one count of AML 354(3), the DA said.
• Raleigh Poultry Farm, Inc. – On March 23, 2023, Suffolk County Police Department detectives entered Raleigh Poultry Farm, Inc. located in Kings Park, and purchased three baby chicks which were only a few days old, the DA said. On April 4, 2023, Raleigh Poultry Farm Inc. was charged with one count of AML 354(3), Tierney said.
• Agway of Port Jefferson – On April 3, 2023, Suffolk County Police Department detectives entered Agway of Port Jefferson, and purchased two baby chicks which were only a few days old' at the same location, minutes later, another Suffolk County Police Department detective purchased four additional baby chicks which were only a few days old, the DA said. On April 4, 2023, Agway of Port Jefferson was charged with one count of AML 354(3), Tierney said.

"Each spring around Easter time, people purchase newly born baby animals, including chicks, ducklings, and rabbits, to use as live decorations or to give as gifts," said Tierney. "Sometimes, these animals are also dyed bright colors, which can cause illness and death to the animal. I remind everyone that animals are not toys or merchandise, and my office will continue to protect animals by enforcing the laws regarding their care and sale."

In other news, Humane Long Island's giant "duckling" mascot will be making the rounds in Babylon, Patchogue, Glen Cove, and the Hamptons this season to distribute Lindt vegan dark chocolate bunnies and take photographs with kids.