Deadly intent is an unthinkable reaction to seeing a mother duck and two ducklings in the road, but someone in Bartlett deliberately ran over a small feathered family on May 28.
Angela Klein, who manages the city’s Animal Services Division, said a witness saw a vehicle speed up to hit the birds on Altruria Road behind Bartlett City Hall.
The ducklings died, and the mother was in serious condition at an area veterinarian’s office as of Monday afternoon.
“I don’t understand how somebody could be that cruel,” Klein said. “It’s a defenseless animal. I don’t understand it.”
Her division had previously posted multiple duck-crossing signs in the area to warn drivers to drive slowly and be alert for the birds crossing the street.
A local veterinarian advised her it was not the first time someone has attemped to harm wild birds in the city recently.
The witness to last Thursday’s animal attack got a partial license plate off the offender’s vehicle. If identified and convicted, the suspect could face up to 11 months and 29 days in jail plus hefty fines, Klein said.
She cautions other drivers not to make the same driving decision. “It’s not worth the trouble that you’re going to get into.”
Written by Carolyn Bahm, Express editor. Contact her at (901) 433-9138 or via email to bartlett.editor@journalinc.com.
