I have accidentally hit/run over/cut up a number of different animals with a lawnmower. Birds, ducks, snakes, rabbits among other animals make nests in tall grass. The nests are almost impossible to see until it’s too late.
I have been in an accident where a lady in front of me slammed on her brakes to avoid hitting a squirrel.
I will never intentionally injure or kill an animal.
But the safety of people are far more important that swerving to miss an animal on a highway.
If this guy killed the ducks intentionally, he has problems.
But jail time for the ducks????
He ran over baby ducks with a lawnmower deliberately. He won’t do a year, but 30 days would be OK with me.