News

Investigation launched after 9 ducklings fall from high-rise balcony

WINCHESTER, Mass. — Police in Winchester are investigating an incident where nine baby ducks fell from a high-rise balcony on Saturday.

Police first told Boston 25 News they were looking into witness reports that someone had intentionally thrown the ducklings off a balcony, more than 30 feet in the air.

However, they later interviewed a witness who believes the ducklings may have walked off the balcony on their own.

That resident says that, for the past several years, the ducklings have hatched on her balcony and some of them have tried to jump off. She told police that when she got home on Saturday, the eggs had hatched and the ducks were gone. Other residents don't know what to think.

The investigation is ongoing, and it is still unclear whether the ducklings fell or if someone intentionally threw them.

On Saturday morning, witnesses reported hearing animals in distress by the Parkview Condos on 200 Swanton Street.

A patrolling officer responded to the call at 8:30 a.m. after two witnesses reported someone had thrown 9 ducklings off a balcony and that two of them had died.

"Ducklings are so sweet, they are so little and they are helpless, why somebody do that?" said Parkview resident Faten Moftah, who likes to feed the ducks with her grandson, Yusef.

One of the witnesses had cleaned up the scene before the officer got there, but said two ducklings had died and another one appeared to be injured.

Another witness said she was on the balcony below when the ducklings were falling from the balcony and tried catch them. She also said the mother duck was outside, looking for her ducklings. The witness also added she was too focused on saving the ducklings to look up to see if anyone was throwing them.

The complex manager, Everett Moreira, said the suspect may have been standing off to the side on the balcony, throwing the ducklings at an angle so witnesses couldn't get a good look at who was doing it.

"They found one laying dead in the water and one laying dead in the cement, it was smashed," said Moreira.

Police spoke to some of the building's residents, but were unable to find the culprit. Police tell Boston 25 one witness reported the suspect was “throwing the ducklings intentionally and throwing them very hard, straight down.”

Officials are actively investigating this incident as a crime, saying animal cruelty is a felony, punishable by a maximum of up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Security camera footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation.

Residents say they are furious and want the person responsible to be held accountable.

"Maybe some community service, feeding some ducks or animals, [maybe] working at the zoo," said Cal, a resident.

The pond in front of the condos is a favorite spot for residents, especially since the mother duck recently hatched the flock of ducklings. Condo management feeds the ducks daily and takes care of them.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Winchester Police at 781-729-1214.