Petition filed in duck stabbing

A 14-year-old boy suspected of stabbing a duck was arrested on suspicion of cruelty to animals, police said.

The boy was not identified because of the suspect's age, but police said he was petitioned in juvenile court.

The duck, named Lucky by the mallard's caregivers, is healing as expected but remains in "stable but still guarded" condition, said Debbie McGuire, the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center's wildlife director.

"Because it's a stab wound, we're leaving it as an open wound" and debriding it, McGuire said. Veterinarians wanted to leave the wound open to help drain the infection while keeping it clean.

Lucky is on two types of antibiotics and should recover in approximately 10 to 14 days, but because the wound is so deep, it may take a little longer, McGuire said. Fortunately, the duck is eating on its own, "which is very promising," McGuire said.

The pocket knife lodged in the duck measured about 5 inches long.

The duck is young and was "about a week away from flying," McGuire said.

The public brings in about 1,000 ducklings a year, "mainly mallards," McGuire said, that are "real tiny, yellow and brown. This one would be old enough to be on its own."

"It's very shocking to me that anyone could be cruel to an animal," McGuire said. "It's just horrifying. It truly is."