City of Dubuque Employee Receives PETA Award for Rescuing Ducklings

City Worker Retrieves Baby Birds From Storm Drain, Reuniting Feathered Siblings With Mother

For Immediate Release:
May 27, 2015

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Courtesy of PETA, a Compassionate Action Award is on its way to city sewer worker Bill Kelly, who came to the rescue of 10 ducklings who had fallen into a storm drain. After concerned citizens called police, who then alerted the City of Dubuque, Mr. Kelly helped to remove the metal grate and climbed down into the drain, patiently retrieving the terrified animals a few at a time. All the ducklings were reunited with their waiting, anxious mother.

“Mr. Kelly’s willingness to do whatever it took to ensure that these ducklings were out of harm’s way makes him a hero in our book,” says PETA Senior Director Colleen O’Brien. “PETA hopes his compassion will inspire people everywhere to come to the aid of animals in need.”

For his compassion for animals, Mr. Kelly will receive a framed certificate. PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—offers tips for helping wildlife on its website.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.