The DSPCA says it's 'worrying' that people are selling ducklings online and on the street.
It's after a number of ads were posted on social media sites, offering chicks or eggs, for as little as five euro.
The charity says it's taking in about fifteen ducklings today, and is warning that a family home is not an appropriate setting for them.
Have you noticed people selling ducks on the street in Dublin?
Has anyone you know bought one?
DM me, for my story.#journorequest pic.twitter.com/FSq7qj5h5e
— Tom Douglas (@TomDouglas95) May 10, 2021
DSPCA Worried About Ducklings' Health
Gillian Bird, Head of Education and Media says she's heard reports of injured ducklings being sold:
"We've seen some reports where people have bought ducklings, but they've got broken legs or injured wings.
"Some of them just haven't even made it through the night that were bought over the weekend."
"So it's really not a good environment."
"I mean, where are they keeping these animals when they're transporting them, prior to selling them."
"What are they expecting people to do or to feed the animals when they get them home."
'"So this is a huge concern for us."
"We're appealing to people not to buy these animals."
Who ever is selling these poor ducks should really reconsider who there selling them to my son was passing and gave 10 euro for this poor duck just to take him of them he has 2 broken legs 😢😢
Posted by Louise Fitzgerald on Sunday, 9 May 2021
Report It To Us Or Gardaí
Adding to that, Gillian says, "it's not illegal to sell or re-home these ducklings."
"But what our concerns are, is that they're not only the cute little yellow ducklings that come from farmyard ducks."
"We've heard reports of people trying to sell wild ducklings, that they've probably fished out of the canals or the river."
"That is against the law."
Finally she says, "so we're asking people, if they come across someone trying to sell a duck or duckling, to report it to the Guards or the DSPCA urgently."
