A 71-year-old Irvine man is wanted for allegedly beating a duckling to death and seriously injuring another during a violent encounter at a community pool, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors have charged Randall Lee Bertsch with multiple felony and misdemeanor counts tied to the May 13 incident, in which authorities say he grabbed ducklings from the water and struck them with a plastic recycling bin. He is currently wanted on a $50,000 arrest warrant after a judge approved a request to increase bail, prosecutors said.
If convicted on all counts, Bertsch faces up to seven years and six months in county jail, according to the DA’s office.
Irvine animal cruelty charges: What prosecutors allege happened
The criminal allegations come from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, which says the incident unfolded at a community pool near Morena and Segura in Irvine.
According to prosecutors and police:
One duckling died, and another suffered serious trauma, while the mother duck and eight others avoided injury, authorities said.
Bertsch was initially arrested and released on bail, but is now being sought again after prosecutors requested a higher bail due to what they described as the severity of the alleged violence.
In a statement, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the alleged attack, saying those who harm animals will be prosecuted “with the full weight of the law.”
Are ducks protected in California? Federal law and penalties explained
Mallard ducks — like the ones involved in this case — are protected under federal law as migratory birds.
Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is generally illegal to kill, capture, or harm protected migratory bird species without authorization from federal wildlife officials.
That law covers more than 1,000 bird species and extends to nests, eggs, and even feathers, making unauthorized harm or removal of wild ducks a potential federal offense.
Local authorities also emphasize that community members should not attempt to move or handle ducklings themselves. In Irvine, police have urged residents to contact animal services when wildlife becomes stranded or enters residential areas.
How common are ducks like mallards in California?
Mallards are among the most common and recognizable ducks in California, found in everything from wetlands and rivers to urban parks and neighborhood water features.
Wildlife data shows:
California also plays a major role in the Pacific Flyway, serving as a key stopover and wintering ground for migratory birds traveling between Alaska, Canada, and Mexico.
That means encounters between people and ducks are common — especially in suburban areas like Irvine, where landscaped water features attract wildlife.
What happens next in the case
The case is being prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Animal Cruelty Unit.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Bertsch’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement. The legal process will move forward once the defendant is taken into custody and appears in court.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California man wanted after duckling killed at community pool
Reporting by James Ward, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By James Ward, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
