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

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — As Easter approaches, animal advocates are speaking out about the many who think ducks and chicks make adorable holiday gifts — but then give them up right after.

Currently, there is an abandoned Khaki Campbell duck in the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays, which was found dumped in a Long Island yard — and taken 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 discarded pets, often last Easter's presents being discarded to make way for new chicks or ducklings.”

Humane Long Island, he said, “reminds the public that animals are not Easter photo props.”

Humane Long Island is busy, Di Leonardo said, rescuing domestic ducks, chickens and bunnies that were rejected last year's Easter gifts, and urges the public not to “doom more animals to the same fate” by using them as live decorations or giving them as gifts. .

“With Easter just around the corner, Humane Long Island reminds the public that the only animal that belongs in an Easter basket is a stuffed animal or one of delicious vegan chocolate,” said Di Leonardo. “Ducks, chicks and bunnies require daily care, safe housing, expert veterinary care and a 10-year commitment. However, when sold to impulse buyers, they first end up in Easter baskets and then abandoned at a local park where they cannot survive.” .

Humane Long Island said that like “pet and farm animals, domestic ducks, chickens and rabbits” were domesticated by humans thousands of years ago.

Years of selective breeding have created animals very different from their wild counterparts, both physiologically and psychologically, such as dogs and wolves, he said.

“Domestic ducks raised for either egg production or meat have tiny feathers, large bodies and generally no camouflage. They are usually flightless and can never migrate – literally sitting ducks for predators and cruel people when released into the wild. ​nature”, he added.

Di Leonardo also talked about Long Island businesses charged for selling day-old chicks last year.

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

Restrictions on the sale of chicks, ducks, other birds and rabbits are set forth in the New York State Agriculture and Market Law, section 354, which states in part that “no person shall sell, offer for sale, exchange or giving life to chicks, ducklings or other birds or baby rabbits under two months of age in any quantity less than six,” the DA said.

The law also prohibits the sale, “offering for sale, exchange or exhibition of live chicks, ducks or other birds or baby rabbits that have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated to give them an artificial colour”.

Any violation of that law can result in a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to a year in jail and a $500 fine, the DA said.

Members of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department's Prosecution Team investigated businesses illegally selling chicks and subsequently made multiple arrests, Tierney said:

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

“Every spring around Easter, people buy newborn animals, including chicks, ducks and rabbits, to use as live decorations or to give away,” Tierney said. “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 commodities, 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 “ducky” mascot will be making the rounds of Babylon, Patchogue, Glen Cove and the Hamptons this season to hand out vegan Lindt dark chocolate bunnies and take photos with kids.