A quiet Sunday at Lake Avondale took a disturbing turn when a resident spotted plastic bags floating in the water and called police. The caller reported seeing two black bags in the lake; when officers and animal-control personnel checked the scene, they found food and roughly five decapitated birds inside. The discovery, made around 4 p.m. on Sunday, triggered an immediate response from animal-control officials.
According to CBS News Atlanta, Avondale Estates police said the bags contained "food and approximately five decapitated birds" and that DeKalb Animal Control secured the remains. CBS reports that there was no identifying information on or in the bags and that, because the birds and food had not yet decomposed, officials believe the dumping happened recently. The investigation is ongoing.
Lake Avondale, A Neighborhood Focal Point
Lake Avondale is an eight-acre park in the heart of Avondale Estates and is widely used for walking, picnics and community events, according to the city's Lake Avondale guidance. Avondale Estates asks visitors not to feed wildlife and to respect the lake's natural areas. In a place that typically hosts joggers, kids and casual strolls, the unusual and grisly find has understandably left neighbors unsettled.
Health And Safety
Public-health officials generally advise against handling dead birds because of potential disease risks, and the Centers for Disease Control recommends that people leave sick or dead birds alone and report them to local wildlife or animal-control agencies. The CDC notes that the general public should avoid direct contact and keep pets away from dead birds until authorities say it is safe. Local agencies will decide whether the carcasses are tested or simply disposed of as part of the investigation.
What Officials Say Is Next
DeKalb Animal Control has secured the remains and is storing them in a freezer while investigators work to determine how and why the birds ended up in the lake. Officials have not released any information about suspects or possible motives, and it is not yet clear whether the samples will be tested for disease. The investigation remains active, and authorities say they will provide updates as new information comes in.
