SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio — Angela Brown began taking walks along the Towpath Trail in Summit County while she was recovering from a serious battle with COVID-19. The stretch of gravel path along a small channel of water is a popular destination for walking, biking and watching wildlife.
A pair of American Pekin ducks, known for their snow white feathers and bright orange beaks, have been constant company for Brown and others enjoying the trail.
“I came out to this trail with my daughter after I got out of the hospital with the oxygen tank," she recalled. "[I] came to see them and feed them and that lifted my spirits.”
Heather Bishop, another trail user, added, “Every time I come on the trail, they’re always here.”
Brown nicknamed called the two birds "Mr. Opaque and Friend" when she saw them.
“I purposely came all the way from [Cuyahoga] Falls," she said. "I could go to any part of the Towpath, but they lifted my spirit and others that encountered them.”
On Monday, Brown was shocked to find one of the birds dead with what Summit Metro Parks said appeared to be wounds from a BB or pellet gun.
“I broke down crying," she said. "And other people on the trail came after the duck was gone and saw me crying and said, ‘What’s going on?’ And I said, ‘Somebody killed them.’”
The second duck was suffering from similar injuries when Brown called Summit Metro Parks for help. A park ranger took the duck to a nearby animal hospital, where veterinarians determined humane euthanization was the best option.
“To see them hurt like that, it really breaks my heart," said Bishop, who encountered Brown and the ducks Monday while riding bicycles with her son. "I am very much an animal lover and really do a lot to take care of our environment. So to see that just really hurts.”
Animal lovers who use the trail said the loss of the ducks is not only sad, it is also disturbing.
“I just want the community and people that walk on this trail to know that there’s some evil, cruel person out there that’s killing wildlife,” said Brown.
Metro Parks officials said no suspects have been identified and no investigation is currently underway because it's unclear whether the incident happened on Metro Parks managed property, but public tips are welcome.
You can call the ranger line at 330-867-5511 during business hours or 330-475-0029 after hours to report information.
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