Controversial duck slaughter raises concerns among Collier County residents

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — A Home Depot vendor was fired after shooting and killing several ducks in cold blood on Tuesday.

Joyce Fredricks called 911 after she saw two men killing the ducks with a speargun.

“I am sure they were just doing their jobs, but I don’t know if the FWC just lets you come out and shoot animals like this,” she said.

However, the men had a license and said Home Depot hired them to kill the ducks.

John Wallace, a concerned Home Depot shopper, thought the killing was unnecessary.

“I don’t really like it,” he said. They’re making a mess, the ducks are, but there is no reason to do this.”

The ducks have a reputation for being messy and, while they inhabit the nearby ponds, they were getting into the gardening section of the store.

Home Depot admitted to hiring a crew to remove the ducks in the following statement:

We found out this was our vendor, but we definitely did not approve killing any birds and we were shocked…We quickly discontinued working with that vendor and we’re devising a plan that ensures the safe handling of the ducks.
– Stephen Holmes, Director of Corporate Communications

Fredricks is working to find the surviving ducks a new home.

“They are a family of ducks,” she said. “Take them to some of the farms.”

The men were not arrested.

Over a dozen ducks remain on the property and a local group is working to help relocate them.