Dizzy ducklings plucked to safety
A fleet of ducklings have been saved from certain starvation by a city policeman.
While driving along Embankment Road in Plymouth, Pc Dave Bullock and Pc Carley Moloney spotted a mother duck crossing the road with her ducklings.
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Pc Bullock, from Plympton, said: "It was about 1.30am on Monday morning and we were out on routine duty when we saw the mother duck and ducklings heading for the long grass."
But when they saw one of ducklings drop down a roadside drain, the officers stopped to investigate.
Pc Bullock said: "As we approached the drain we could hear the ducklings calling for their mother, the rest of them had followed the first one in."
After lifting the drain cover, he carefully picked out each bird and placed them on the nearby pavement.
He said: "The water was smelly and I had to be careful not to have too much human contact with the birds in case the mother rejected them."
"Some of the birds were stuck further up the sump of the drain and I had to reach far back to pull them to safety."
After being placed on dry land the smallest of the ducklings waddled under the police car and warmed up using the heat from the car's exhaust pipe.
The seven or eight ducklings, who eventually huddled together and watched the rescue of their brothers and sisters, were reunited with their mother and walked off into the undergrowth.
The incident was also captured on video with the use of a head mounted camera that Pc Bullock was wearing throughout the rescue.
"When I got out the car I turned on my head camera hoping to later show my fellow officers our good deed. My head camera is an essential part of my kit – as vital as my radio and truncheon", he said.
Pc Bullock, who works night shifts, said this was one of his more unusual incidents: "We don't get many ducks stopping us in our tracks, but we see plenty of foxes - it's nice to deal with the good guys for once."
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by lucy, plymouth
Wednesday, April 15 2009, 2:57PM
“As a veterinary nurse its nice to see that people do care its more than your job to help lift drains and put your hand down muck and grime but you still do it that mother would have been there waiting for you too leave and would have more than likely been killed by trying to save those ducklins so if people think thats rediculous then you have no heart, i see day in day out people that treat animals cruelly, and its not on, think before you post comments. good for you too help ,most people wouldnt”
by kim, exeter
Saturday, April 04 2009, 10:45PM
“clearly alex u are an idiot awful immature comment. seeing that made my evening. so glad u guys were there at the right time. alex would have killed them well done policex”
by lucy, Plymouth
Saturday, April 04 2009, 12:03PM
“It is good to know That the guys who protect us have hearts as well. Thank you”
by Daro, Tokyo, Japan
Thursday, April 02 2009, 5:29AM
“There are humans behind those badges!”
by Rubber Ducky, Charlies
Monday, March 30 2009, 8:29PM
“How can people have a pop at the Police when it comes to something like this? Just goes to show that you cannot please all of the people all of the time. In fact, it demonstrates you cannot even please some of the people some of the time. Well done Dave. Good effort mate.”
by Doojer, Stonehouse
Monday, March 30 2009, 11:21AM
“Got carried away there...! As for the duck clip It must have been a bit of light relief on what I imagine can be a difficult shift in this city. Well done to these sharp eyed officers.”
by Doojer, Stonehouse
Monday, March 30 2009, 11:17AM
“I really think the police have enough criminals to find and catch with cameras without bothering paranoid anarchists or decent hardworking people. Lets put it like this, If we or someone we love got mugged and seriously injured and the police used CCTV evidence to convict the persons responsible would that be ok? Say we had the same scenario on a street with no cameras and the persons responsible got away with the crime and went on to do similar to others? Would we be happy with ourselves if we had successfully petitioned for cameras to be removed in that area?
I walk past police wearing headcams and through the city with CCTV everywhere, I actually feel safer for it. Who is vain enough to think that the police are interested in US? Unless of course, YOU HAVE done something illegal...”
by kandace, oregon
Saturday, March 28 2009, 7:45PM
“I love ducks! Soo happy they were rescued! <33”
by will_b, Plymouth
Saturday, March 28 2009, 1:30PM
“Dan wrote:The only people who worry and moan about their privacy are those who have something to hide Dan, Plymouth.
Dan are you ok if we install a web cam in each room in your house and broadcast, we won't tell you to where. If you have nothing to hide it should not be a problem?
Will”
by anon, ex local
Saturday, March 28 2009, 12:29AM
“did they put that down as a call for there quota”