Injured duck rescued, juveniles suspected of attacking fowl.

Juveniles are suspected of attacking ducks, who make their homes in many of Kenner's canals, with 5 inch metallic darts. Several ducks have been victimized by such attacks, and at least one was observed to have more then 6 darts protruding from his body and neck. Officials from the Humane Society of Louisiana investigated the complaint last week and discovered one duck with a dart pinned to his side. After failing to capture the injured Muscovy duck on 2 consecutive nights, the group asked Trapper John Schmidt, a licensed animal handler, to rescue the duck.

On Saturday, Trapper John was able to capture the slippery duck, after a 3 1/2 hour chase. The duck still had a dart pinned to his side when caught. The Humane Society of Louisiana has placed the duck, now named Daffy, into a safe environment and will be transporting the duck to the Clearwater Sanctuary later today. Daffy will be treated for his injuries and released back into the wild.

Since receiving the original report of kids attacking these harmless ducks, the Humane Society has received other reports of juveniles victimizing other water foul. One resident observed kids deliberately trying to place the ducks in harm's way. The kids were seen enticing the ducks to cross the street by throwing them pieces of bread in front of passing vehicles.

The Humane Society is also encouraging the Kenner Police to take note of these incidents. Neighbors have observed groups of juveniles prowling the canals at dusk with the same metallic darts that have been found in the ducks. During the 2006 legislative session, ducks and geese were granted protection under the state's animal protection laws. "The deliberate maiming and mutilation of animals, which now includes ducks, is a felony under our revised statutes," says Jeff Dorson, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana.

The Humane Society is also accepting donations to pay for Daffy's treatment and for other victims of animal abuse. Donations may be sent to the Humane Society of Louisiana, P.O. Box 740321, New Orleans, La 70174. To contact the society, please call 1-888-6-HUMANE or visit their website at Humanela.org