‘It’s very disconcerting, and it’s scary’: 4 ducks shot at Costa Mesa park

A number of geese have been killed at TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa since Easter Sunday, and police are investigating the shootings.

“And so these vibrant white objects are the bullets … There’s one right here, one right here, one right here, one right here,” mentioned Dr. Elizabeth Wooden, medical director of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Middle in Huntington Seaside. “Sadly we noticed each pellets, that are spherical, and likewise precise bullets.”

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Middle is investigating the slayings and helping the Costa Mesa Police Division.

“It’s horrendous. Nothing upsets us extra. These are animals which were liked by the local people within the native park,” Wooden mentioned.

Michelle Berger, who’s been visiting TeWinkle Park for many years and educating others on its
wildlife, observed the birds have been alive and nicely on Easter Sunday, however found 4 have been lifeless the subsequent morning on Monday, April 18. She first alerted authorities.

“There’s individuals which might be sick. They’re simply monsters, and this isn’t the primary time that this has occurred right here, but it surely’s very disconcerting, and it’s scary to the general public to know that somebody has come right here with a gun,” Berger mentioned.

Costa Mesa Police have stepped up patrols within the space, and Mayor John Stephens mentioned town is taking measures to forestall such a animal abuse from taking place once more.

Within the meantime, investigators have collected the ammunition from the lifeless geese and try to carry fingerprints from the bullet fragments and pellets.

“It’s also nicely documented that crimes in opposition to animals can then progress to crimes in opposition to individuals, so it’s undoubtedly crucial to have an investigation,” Wooden mentioned.

“There’s lots of people right here which might be very upset about what was carried out right here,” Berger added.

Anybody with details about the shootings is requested to name the Costa Mesa Police Division at 714-754-5280.