parks
Man charged with animal cruelty in beating death of duckling at Irvine pool
By Jonathan Lloyd at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
A 71-year-old Irvine man was charged Thursday with felony animal cruelty in the death of a duckling that was taken from a community pool and beaten with a plastic recycling bin in front of witnesses.
Another duckling was seriously injured in the May 13 attack at the pool near the intersection...
Key takeaway Another duckling was seriously injured in the May 13 attack at the pool near the intersection of Morena and Segura, where several people were trying to help a Mallard duck mother and her 10 ducklings out of the pool area.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The disturbing incident at the Irvine pool underscores the need for community awareness about protecting local wildlife, particularly in shared public spaces like parks and pools. As a community that values its outdoor recreational areas, Los Angeles County residents should be mindful of the presence of migratory birds like ducks and take steps to peacefully coexist with them. The fact that the ducklings were federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 adds another layer of concern, highlighting the importance of educating the public about the laws and regulations in place to safeguard these animals. The Orange County District Attorney's strong stance on animal cruelty is a welcome reassurance, and it will be worth watching how this case proceeds and what measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future, particularly in areas where humans and wildlife intersect.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A 71-year-old Irvine man was charged Thursday with felony animal cruelty in the death of a duckling that was taken from a community pool and beaten with a plastic recycling bin in front of witnesses.
Another duckling was seriously injured in the May 13 attack at the pool near the intersection...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jonathan Lloyd at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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