Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sam Penrod reporting A duck from a neighborhood pond was shot today by duck hunters, but in a most unusual way.
The hunters were actually a couple of teenagers who had the day off from school. Before it was all over, they had tears in their eyes. They learned a tough lesson when they shot a duck with a broadhead arrow.
The duck is used to swimming in a private pond in Lehi, just north of Utah Lake. But he is not use to having a broadhead arrow in his back.
Tony Fowler, Neighbor: "They are our pets, all the people in the neighborhood come by to feed them, it's kind of the highlight of the neighborhood."
Raquel Clark, Neighbor: "It's just our little neighborhood pond and the ducks have been here for about three years."
The neighbors call the duck, and we aren't making this up, Donald. Donald and two other ducks live in the pond.
Tony Fowler: "They look like wild ducks, their wings are clipped, they can't fly, they are here year round."
But to two teens out hunting ducks, they looked like fair game. However, not only is this duck a protected species, it is in a private pond, close to homes.
When the arrow got stuck in the duck, neighbors called officers who went out to rescue it. After a few minutes, Donald came ashore. The arrow was clipped off, because it was just under his skin.
Tony Fowler, Neighbor: "It's kind of sad to see one with an arrow in his back."
Donald was taken to the vet to have the arrowhead removed. The kids who shot him, stayed until the end, leaving with a new perspective of the rules of hunting.
"Sgt. Spencer Cannon, Utah County Sheriff's Office: "They felt pretty awful, we got a good response out of the kids and a good response out of their parents as well, I don't think these particular boys are going to be making this same mistake again."
The teens will likely be cited for hunting the wrong kind of duck, as well as trespassing and hunting in the city limits.
As for Donald the duck, the vet is hoping to return it to the pond when it recovers.
