Residents of Cooper City are reeling after a disturbing incident over the weekend involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and numerous waterfowl. As NBC Miami reported, locals have described scenes of devastation with ATVs blatantly running over a flock of Egyptian geese and ducks that make their home near Southwest 49th Street and Southwest 120th Avenue.
Witness Brian Schafler, who shared a harrowing video of the aftermath, was inside his home when around 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, he heard the sound of vehicles and observed the birds in distress. "They went back and forth back and forth savagely running over these birds in the evening," Schafler told NBC Miami, recounting the incident that he said destroyed the resting place for nearly 200 geese.
Adding to the community's shock, Schafler described the scene the following day, which was marked by the presence of scavenging vultures and numerous birds still dead in the water. The horrific sight of "30, 40 injured helpless ducks that are sitting there in peril" with "necks broken, guts all over" was not easily forgotten. A follow-up by officials confirmed the event as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission referred the matter to the Broward County Sheriff's Office for investigation, as per NBC Miami's coverage.
Moreover, in a 7News interview, Schafler implicated multiple youths, possibly of high school age, who appeared to be laughing as they committed the acts. "Another one, another one. It's like a total massacre, another one," an emotional Schafler described during the cellphone video documentation of the incident.
While Egyptian geese are considered a non-protected species in Florida, allowing for their removal under specific circumstances, the wanton brutality exhibited in this incident has shocked the community and spurred calls for increased protective measures. The Schaflers, who have been left devastated by this act of cruelty, are offering a reward for information leading to the culprits. The sheriff's office has yet to charge anyone in connection with the deed, but anyone with information on the killings is encouraged to contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
