Will Maricopa County Attorney Andrew P Thomas prosecute these Scottsdale bureaucrats with felony charges of cruelty to animals? I kind of doubt it. First they are fellow government bureaucrats. Second I doubt they had any real intent to cause pain to the ducks that died. I suspect it was just a stupid mistake on their part. But thats my point I suspect the felony animal cruelty laws will be selectively enforced. If they were shaking down Michael Jackson in Arizona instead of California and this happened on Michael Jackson Never Never Land Ranch I suspect County Attorney Andrew P Thomas would charge Michael Jackson with felony charge of animal cruelty just to give him a hard time. While I dont think Andrew Thomas would ever consider shaking down his fellow bureaucrats with felony animal cruelty. Original Article Young waterfowl cant climb lakes new wall By John Leptich, Tribune June 21, 2005 Chaparral Lake has become a killing pond for ducklings and goslings that can no longer reach an island that was supposed to protect them. Fourteen of 15 baby ducks and geese born in the last month drowned because they couldnt climb a retaining wall built around the island during recent renovations at the lake, said Lenny Beard, an activist who helps take care of lake wildlife. "I watched one gosling die because he couldnt get back to his mother on the island," said Beard, who walks his dogs daily in the park. "He was frantically swimming back and forth but couldnt make it." The lake and some of the surrounding park area at Hayden and Chaparral roads in Scottsdale has been closed since November for a $850,000 restoration project to plug leaks caused by shoreline erosion. Beard said there are more nests on the island and he worries more young waterfowl will go into the water and meet the same fate. Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross, who said she learned of the situation Monday, said her staff is doing all it can to expedite a solution. "They are going to take care of this right away," Manross said. "Thats what we have to do. To protect these animals is what we have the island for in the first place." Rose Williams, Scottsdales parks and grounds manager, said the city worked closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department on renovation design. "Were looking into the possibility of trying to get (waterfowl) better access onto the island," Williams said. "Eric Swanson of Game and Fish said it was designed appropriately. Were not ignoring it. Patience is a virtue." But Beard said he is losing patience because he had previously let city workers know about the bird deaths, but nothing was done. Another problem with the renovation is that if the lake is filled completely, it overflows on the south end, he said. Doug Nohren, senior recreation coordinator of Chaparral Park, referred questions about the overflow to Bill Peifer, a city project manager, who could not be reached. During the renovation, the 32-year-old artificial lake was partially drained and cement was poured around the edges and the island. Clay and fabric liners were installed to stop the leaking. Williams said a solution to the birds problem is being sought. "We have some different ideas," she said. "Maybe well use rocks, plankings for a ramp or something else. Were looking into it." On Saturday, Beard and Ahwatukee Foothills residents Paul Halesworth and Terry Stevens of East Valley Wildlife took matters into their own hands. They borrowed an inflatable boat, took some wood, bricks and rocks and threw the materials over a portable fence built in November. Halesworth scaled the fence and navigated to the island where he constructed a temporary 2-by-1-foot ramp so younger fowl can return from the water. "When theyre young and unfeathered, they will drown," Halesworth said. "This happens all too frequently. Ive done things like this before." Beard hasnt. "We stood there wondering when the police were going to come and get us for trespassing," Beard said. "It took 45 minutes for Paul to build something that can at least help some of these babies live." Beard, who belongs to a local group called Webfoot Rescue of Scottsdale, said he tries to put out food weekly for the birds. "But that doesnt help all of them, especially the babies, unless they can get to and from the water safely," he said." Contact John Leptich by email, or phone 480) 970-2333