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Police Close Case On Injured Ducks That Had To Be Euthanized

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Two ducklings that were injured in Boulder had to be euthanized.

Originally it was reported that a duck family had been swimming on a pond near 29th and Baseline Road in Boulder on May 1. According to police, a witness said he saw 12-and 13-year-old boys throwing rocks at the mother and her newborn ducklings. The boys were chased away.

"The Boulder Police Department's Animal Control Unit investigated the case and interviewed the man, who told officers that he did not actually witness children throwing rocks at the ducklings, but saw kids in the area throwing rocks into the pond. He surmised that the children caused the injuries to the ducklings," police said in a statement released on Tuesday.

ducklings injured map
(credit: CBS)

Apparently the man also witnessed Canada geese pecking at the ducklings.

"Because of inconsistencies in the witness' statements and because the origin of the duckling's injuries isn't known, the Animal Control Unit has concluded that officers will not pursue a criminal investigation," police said.

The ducklings had been at the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center since the incident.

Veterinarians say both ducks were blind and couldn't stand up straight, so they had to make the tough decision to put them down Monday afternoon.

"It's not humane to keep an animal alive just because you can," Jenny Bryant with the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center said.

Bryant said some people wanted to adopt the ducklings but it wasn't possible.

RELATED: Newborn Ducks Struggling After Boys Threw Rocks At Them

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