A mass duck surrender in Southern California has exploded into controversy after hundreds of birds were adopted out in a single day, some ending up with a livestock dealer who flipped them for $15 each.
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services took in around 500 ducks on April 14 from the Duck Sanctuary in Anza, run by Howard Berkowitz, following an investigation into overcrowding and improper care, the Orange County Register reported.
By April 15, the agency opened adoptions at its San Jacinto Valley shelter on a first-come, first-served basis, waiving fees.
Within hours, roughly 270 ducks were claimed by a Norco business, Matt’s Livestock, and quickly listed for resale on Facebook.
Animal advocates say some buyers likely intended to eat the birds.
One Facebook user with references to cockfighting said he took 11.
Berkowitz said he agreed to surrender the animals only if they would go to sanctuaries.
“The only way that I would ever relinquish any ducks was that I knew that they were going to a safe place,” he told the OC Register. “I’ve raised those ducks for years. I spent my entire life savings taking care of these ducks, and they all went for food. I hope that Riverside pays for what they did.”
Rescue groups say they were blindsided.
Darcy Smith of Funky Chicken Rescue had offered to take 50 birds, and said other sanctuaries were ready.
“They had places that they could go sanctuaries that had vetted homes ready for them,” Smith told the OC Register. “It’s like, really, you’re going to pull them out of a horrible situation and then put them in another one?”
County officials defended the rush, calling it necessary given the scale, the largest intake in over a decade, and limited capacity.
Health concerns added fuel to the backlash.
Some ducks reportedly had zoonotic diseases and accused the agency of releasing animals without proper disclosure.
Authorities say the seizure followed mounting concerns at Berkowitz’s sanctuary, where overcrowding worsened as the flock grew.
Activists described filthy conditions and hoarding, though Berkowitz denied wrongdoing.
“There wasn’t one single sick duck on my property,” he said.
By April 16, Animal Services announced all ducks had been adopted.
Berkowitz now says he’s leaving animal rescue behind.
“I’m shutting it down, I’m done,” he said. “Make me the criminal, make me the bad guy. I don’t care anymore.”
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