Some ignorant nary-do-well is stalking, shooting, maiming, and killing ducks with darts and a blowgun in Big Lake Park near Christie Elementary School. These ducks live in and near the lake, but it may as well be an arcade. They are friendly, hand-fed and innocent.

Enter angel of mercy, Teri Latsko. You may remember her as the lady who rescues birds and is our transporter of orphaned and injured birds to the rehabilitation facility in Hutchins, Texas. Teri lives near the park and had already rescued and treated at least two ducks, including a mother with ducklings. There was one more duck there with a dart completely through her neck that refused to be captured. The darts are heavy wire four inches long with sharp points on one end and white plastic plungers on the other. They are fired from a blowgun that may be purchased at any gun or sporting goods store. Teri needed help so she contacted Brian Collins, Director, Environmental Health, and explained the problem.

Later that same day, now try to picture this, Teri the angel, Penny Halstead of the Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, the fire department, the fire chief, three firefighters with a flat bottom dingy, two firefighters on the shore with nets, Mr. Collins, and his dog, four Animal Services officers with nets, and many, many spectators drawn by the presence of a big red fire truck. All these people along with equipment showed up at the lake. The chase was on.

After a cooperative effort between the Parks, Fire, and Animal Services departments the duck was captured, darts removed, and she was whisked away to the wildlife center for treatment. At one point during the chase Teri suggested to Mr. Collins that he let the, more-than-willing, dog do some of the duck herding. Being the true public servant and law abiding citizen that he is, he replied that he did not wish to disobey the city ordinance that prohibits having a dog in a public place without a leash. He then whispered a short addendum that he had just retrieved the dog from the groomer and did not want him to get muddy. Mr. Collins later said he didn’t know what all the flap was about, but he would send me the bill. Chief Phil Hamilton, fire station #6, said after viewing the holes left in the duck when the darts were removed that all that was needed was some duct-tape. These public servants are a witty bunch.