Great blue heron shot with pellet gun
Fairfield, CA (US)Date: Apr 15, 2006
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available |
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Animal welfare groups are offering a $5,000 dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the shooting of a great blue heron. It is recovering at the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Cordelia.
The adult male bird was found in Fairfield on April 15 with damage to his wing from a pellet gun.
A UC Davis veterinarian did surgery this week.
Great blue herons are not an endangered species but are protected under federal migratory bird laws. Case UpdatesA great blue heron who was found shot with a pellet gun in Fairfield on April 15 was euthanized Monday afternoon at the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Cordelia.
The male heron had developed another fracture in its wing that would not have healed without surgery, lost its appetite and was intolerant of captivity, the center's rehabilitation manager Michelle Bellizzi said.
A $7,500 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the person who shot the great blue heron. It was found in the Brighton Court area of Fairfield.
"Everyone involved in the case is hoping someone will come forward with information that will help authorities bring this bird killer to justice,'' said Jay Holcomb, the center's director.
University of California at Davis veterinarian Grey Massey performed a three-hour surgery on the bird at the center. He removed pieces of the pellet and inserted five pins into the broken bones of the bird's right wing. The secondary fracture occurred close to a joint in the wing and the prognosis for recovery and successful surgery was grim, Bellizzi said.
She said the great blue heron would not have been able to fly well if at all and the center would not release it to the wild.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Humane Animal Services at (707) 449-1700.
Migratory birds are protected by state and federal laws, center officials said.
"Everyone was pulling for this bird. We wanted to return him to the wild,'' Bellizzi said. | Source: CBS 5 - April 25, 2006
Update posted on Apr 26, 2006 - 11:59PM |
If you have information on this case, please contact:
Humane Animal Services
(707) 449-1700
References | ABC News |
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