Here is a case where the state went over the line with this women's pet, even if it was against state law. Don't think of her as wacko.
Posted on 08/23/2005 12:58:20 PM PDT by girlangler
From the King County Journal in Washington state.
Duck gets to go home with owner 2005-08-20 by Jamie Swift Journal Reporter
Gooey is going home.
A week after seizing the duckling, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife decided Friday night to return Gooey to the Auburn woman who raised him the first 11 weeks of his life.
Diane Erdmann will get Gooey back today.
``We feel like this is the best outcome for the state and the wild animal,'' said Fish and Wildlife Director Jeff Koenings.
However, the department still maintains that Gooey is a wild duck that Erdmann had no legal right to possess.
``They obviously don't care about him like I do,'' Erdmann said Friday night.
Erdmann obtained Gooey as a day-old chick from friends who raise and sell waterfowl, she said. The baby duck had been attacked by a crow and was near death.
She spoiled the duck, fitting him with custom-made diapers, swimming with him in the lake, keeping him under heating lamps -- anything to get him healthy.
Under the release agreement, Erdmann ``must release the duck within several months, once it is ready for flight,'' Koenings said. Also, Erdmann must allow a Fish and Wildlife biologist to check on Gooey's welfare, ``as needed,'' Koenings said.
Whether Gooey would actually fly away from Erdmann, or whether state biologists actually have the time to make house calls on ducks wasn't clear Friday night.
Erdmann couldn't be reached for comment.
The two Fish and Wildlife officers who last week seized the duck from Diane Erdmann at her place of business have been assigned to desk duty while the agency investigates their behavior during the seizure.
One of the officers lunged at Erdmann and pulled the duck from her arms. Erdmann filed a complaint with the Auburn Police Department, but the city attorney decided Friday not to file assault charges against the officer.
``We decided we can't proceed with criminal charges,'' assistant city attorney Joseph Beck said. ``We're not commenting on whether their behavior was proper or improper.''
Erdmann's friend and boss, Ross Hansen, owner of Northwest Territorial Mint in Auburn, said he was disgusted by the city attorney's decision not to file an assault charge.
``They have a victim, an eyewitness, and a video tape,'' Hansen said. ``Isn't that enough evidence?''
Police said the surveillance video did not prove that the officer assaulted Erdmann, and that Erdmann's account of the events was disputed by employees at Territorial Mint.
``We interviewed a variety of folks,'' Auburn police Sgt. Bill Pierson said. ``Some of them told us a completely different version from what Ms. Erdmann gives.''
Several employees claimed the two Fish and Wildlife officers stormed in like ``goons'' and ``thugs,'' intimidating employees, threatening Erdmann.
Employees told the officers they were not welcome to roam through the halls of the business, but the officers ``bullied'' their way in, Hansen said.
With the attention now on the Fish and Wildlife internal probe, Hansen said he wants to know why the officers entered his business without his permission and confiscated his employee's duck without some type of court order.
``The officers obviously did wrong,'' he said. ``There's a procedure if you want to seize something. They can't just go into your home or your place of business without permission.''
Hansen, who negotiated the deal that allowed for Gooey's release, said he wants the Washington State Patrol to take over the investigation of the Fish and Wildlife officers.
Jamie Swift can be reached at jamie.swift@kingcountyjournal.com or 253-872-6646.
Just another day in the People's Republic of Gregoiristan.
Here is a case where the state went over the line with this women's pet, even if it was against state law. Don't think of her as wacko.
IT would have been so much easier on everyone if they'd just seen that Gooey had a good home and left him alone.
After all, the recent case of someone dying from beastiality occurred just down the road. I'd think the state has bigger problems to deal with.
No link?
Didn't see that when it was posted on FR.
Actually I am not agreeing with them taking her duck, I just thought it was kinda funny, especially considering the wildlife officers getting in some do-do over this.
In the next free society (200 years hence), LEO will be so scrutinized that only 1 in 10000 will be accepted.
Duh! Then this is a domestic mallard and not subject to Federal law! They sell these things through hatcheries all the time for pete's sake!
Well, it made sense to me when I typed it...
carpe anas
...and happens to rhyme with Huey, Dewey, & Louie Duck.
Well I thought about ducking this thread but I just quacked and so here is my mail about this mallard which I think would be served best roasted with duck sauce.
Have a great day!
We have too many gubbermint lard asses with nothing to do so they invent things to so they don't look like total bums and losers. Some gubbermint agencies are hard working and some are full of people marking time until their pension is fully vested.
I'm so glad she gets Gooey back. Some good news for a change!
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BTTT!!!!!!
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