'Duck Ladies' Speak Out:
'Education of Adults, Children Needed'

Crofton Online listened as the 'Duck Ladies' described events they witness on a daily basis at the pond. This week they found a duck with a fish hook caught in its mouth. The fishing line, still attached to the hook, had become wrapped around a tree as the duck, in obvious pain, flapped its wings, unable to free itself.

Both have been awoken at 6:00 AM from loud swearing by both children and adults, they say. They described seeing intoxicated people urinating into the pond. Children have knocked on their doors at all hours of the day and night asking for drinks of water, or to use the bathroom.

They have witnessed dogs running loose in violation of county ordinances, terrorizing the ducks, and making their messes, with the dogs' owners often leaving it for others to clean up. Children climb trees, breaking limbs and endangering themselves and others, often while parents observe and do nothing. Although public trash cans have been placed at various points around the pond, trash is often tossed carelessly on the ground.

They tell of finding fish hooks caught in dogs' mouths, of people throwing rocks at ducks, and of children pushing the rocks along the edge of the pond, put there at community expense to help limit erosion, into the water. Children sometimes use the "Catch and Release" signs in the pond for target practice, destroying the signs in the process.

Indeed, as Crofton Online was conducting the interview, a child came barging across the ladies' property, screaming and chasing ducks. We paused the interview to run outside to intervene. Frequently, the response of children to such efforts is a string of profanity which would make a sailor blush.

Many area adults as well as children need to be educated about proper behavior at the pond. Respect for animals, property, and their own pets is an absolute necessity, they say. They suggest that perhaps we need a system where a permit must be issued before individuals can fish or use the pond for other purposes. A prerequisite for obtaining a permit would be to attend a short course designed to teach proper behavior and respect. Since the property is private, such a system would not necessarily have to involve the government.


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