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Three Ducks Rescued from Abuse on Brooklyn Street Find Refuge at Farm Sanctuary

Watkins Glen, NY – September 16, 2009 – After surviving a probable fall from a transport truck en route to a live market and the taunting and abuse of a group of children, three young ducks scooped up from a Brooklyn street by a good Samaritan received their first taste of human affection when they arrived late Saturday evening at the upstate New York shelter of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. The ducks, all male Moulards, a breed commonly used in the production of foie gras, an egregiously cruel “delicacy” made from the enlarged and diseased livers of ducks force-fed through metal pipes, arrived at the sanctuary frightened and battered, one suffering from an eye trauma so severe he will most likely never regain sight in the eye.

A crowd of people standing in the middle of a wet Brooklyn street in Boro Park was what initially caught the attention of Rina Deych, a registered nurse and member of the New York Bird Club, as she and her son drove through the neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. As they got closer to the crowd, Deych could make out the source of the commotion: three ducks lying helpless on the pavement as children taunted and tormented them. Deych immediately stopped the car, jumped out and lifted the stressed birds to safety. After gently placing them in her car, she drove the hungry baby ducks to her home, where they enjoyed a sumptuous feast while they awaited transport to Farm Sanctuary.

“The fact that a group of children’s response to injured and frightened animals was to taunt and stomp them is indicative of a dire need for humane education in the classroom and at home,” said Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary’s national shelter director. “We urge teachers and parents to teach their children compassion for all living beings and how to be a hero to animals in need. Thanks to the compassionate action of Rina Deych, these lucky ducks will live the rest of their lives free from fear and abuse at our sanctuary, where they will become ambassadors for their species, touching and inspiring visitors from all over the country with their story of survival.

The ducks are the latest to join the more than 200 farm animals rescued from New York City streets over the last several years and brought to Farm Sanctuary, most likely after escaping from one of the city’s numerous live markets. Just before Labor Day, a severely ill baby goat named Evan was rescued near the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx and brought to Farm Sanctuary, where he joined Isadora and Duncan, two baby goats rescued just a little over a month before in the same area. Last year, a 25-pound pygmy goat named Goodwin, one of Farm Sanctuary’s beloved residents, was discovered by New York City police near 141st Street and St. Ann’s Avenue in the Bronx— just a few blocks from where another Farm Sanctuary resident, Lucky Lady— a seven-month-old lamb who escaped slaughter and made international headlines— was found in June 2007. Other famous New York City escapees who now live at Farm Sanctuary include Maxine, a cow found running through the streets of Queens in 2007; Joey, a goat found wandering through Brooklyn in 2007; and Queenie, a cow who escaped a slaughterhouse in Queens in 2000.

If you would like to receive an image of the ducks or speak with Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary’s national shelter director, please contact Meredith Turner at mturner@farmsanctuary.org or 646-369-6212.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.