Community Teamwork: Northborough Police and DPW Team Up to Rescue Ducks in Response to Call from Neighborhood Children

NORTHBOROUGH – Police Chief Brian Griffin is pleased to report that the Northborough Police Department and Northborough Department of Public Works responded Thursday to a call from neighborhood children who witnessed ducklings fall into a storm drain. 

Thanks to teamwork between the children, neighbors, police and two DPW workers, 10 ducklings were rescued and returned to their mother. To view a video of the rescue, click here. To view a video of the reunification, click here. 

On Thursday, June 19, at approximately 10 a.m., the Northborough Police Department received a call on the non-emergency line reporting that several neighborhood children in the area of Assabet Circle saw some ducklings fall into a storm drain while crossing the street with their mother.

Northborough Police responded and located several ducklings in a storm drain, with their mother nearby, unable to reach the ducklings. Neighborhood children and their parents brought bread and duck food for the ducklings, while Northborough Police requested help from the DPW. 

DPW workers then arrived with the proper tools to unlock the storm drain cover. David Lane, a Northborough DPW worker, climbed down the 12-foot storm drain that was partially filled with water to rescue the ducklings. A total of 10 ducklings were rescued, with neighbors and children cheering with excitement each time Lane emerged with more ducklings in a plastic box he used to scoop them up. 

The ducklings were then placed in a bucket in a location near the woods, with the hope that their mother would return. Approximately 20 minutes later, Northborough Police Officers Dan Martin and Melissa Lonergan observed the mother emerge. Officer Lonegran released the ducklings from the bucket, and they quickly returned to their mother. 

“This wasn’t the most serious call that Northborough Police will face this week, but this was an outstanding example of community policing, and of officers going above and beyond to respond to the concerns of our residents and neighbors,” said Chief Griffin. “I am pleased that the neighborhood kids thought to call us when they witnessed something that upset them, and I am proud of our officers and DPW workers for responding with compassion and teamwork to ensure this call had a happy ending. This was a great community effort to reunite a mother duck with her babies.”