A mass duck surrender in Southern California hasexploded into controversyafter hundreds of birds were adopted out in a single day, some ending up with a livestock dealer who flipped them for $15 each.
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services took in around 500 ducks on April 14 from the Duck Sanctuary in Anza, run by Howard Berkowitz, following an investigation into overcrowding and improper care,the Orange County Registerreported.
By April 15, the agency opened adoptions at its San Jacinto Valley shelter on a first-come, first-served basis, waiving fees.
Within hours, roughly 270 ducks were claimed by a Norco business, Matt’s Livestock, and quickly listed for resale on Facebook.
Animal advocates say some buyers likely intended to eat the birds.
One Facebook user with references to cockfighting said he took 11.
Berkowitz said he agreed to surrender the animals only if they would go to sanctuaries.
“The only way that I would ever relinquish any ducks was that I knew that they were going to a safe place,” he told the OC Register. “I’ve raised those ducks for years. I spent my entire life savings taking care of these ducks, and they all went for food. I hope that Riverside pays for what they did.”
Rescue groups say they were blindsided.
Darcy Smith of Funky Chicken Rescue had offered to take 50 birds, and said other sanctuaries were ready.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
