Police are not sure if the goslings were hit on purpose.
PALMER - Someone drove over a gaggle of goslings on Shearer Street, and police are investigating whether it was an accident.
Meanwhile, People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals is treating the incident as a crime, and is offering a $2,500 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
The incident was reported at 6:45 a.m. by a passerby on May 31, according to police, who are not sure if the hit and run was accidental, or if someone did it on purpose. Police Chief Robert P. Frydryk said they do not have a description of the car that allegedly hit the goslings. The incident happened near the old Rondeau ice house.
Animal Control Officer Wendy Lesage said seven goslings were killed, and one survived, but only for a few hours. She said someone could have been driving too fast and not paying attention.
"But because they did not call to report it, the possibility is there that they did it on purpose," LeSage said.
She said many geese are hit and killed in that exact spot all year long. She said she just picked up another goose that was hit this week.
"With school almost out, it could very easily be a kid on a bike next time," LeSage said.
Martin Mersereau, PETA's director, said in a statement: "Plowing a car through a group of birds is egregiously cruel and against the law. The only way to stop people who demonstrate such blatant disregard for life is to bring them to justice before they maim and kill more animals."
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Palmer Animal Control at (413) 283-7770 or Palmer police at (413) 283-8792.
Information about the incident is on the Palmer Municipal Dog Pound Facebook page.
