Irvine, California – An Irvine man has been arrested and charged after killing a duckling and beating another duckling. According to the Irvine Police Department, 71-year-old Randall Bertsch was arrested on Wednesday for animal cruelty following an investigation into an attack on several ducklings.
In a release, the department recounted the cruel incident, writing:
This morning, several ducklings and a mother duck were swimming in the community pool near Morena and Segura, where one duckling was killed.
Around 10:52 a.m., a man who lived nearby got into the pool, gathered some of the ducklings, and placed them into a box. A short time later, he used a plastic trash bin and struck some of the ducklings. He then threw the animals into a trash can.
One of the ducklings died and another was left with “severe head trauma.” The injured duckling was taken to an area veterinary clinic for care. The mother duck and her remaining ducklings were able to escape. When the police investigation is wrapped up, the case will be submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for review.
As a reminder, migratory birds are federally protected and, in most cases, cannot be moved or relocated, including those that nest near pools.
We thank the community members who reported this incident and assisted our officers.
If you need assistance with ducklings or other wildlife, please contact Animal Services at 949-724-7000.
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