This morning, October 14, a maintenance worker at Chollas Lake discovered a Muscovy duck clinging to life — it had been shot five times with a crossbow. One of the arrows had pierced its head.

“We have no idea why someone would do this,” says Lieutenant Daniel DeSousa of San Diego County Department of Animal Services. “It was not done for food but was instead a horrific and malicious act of animal cruelty.”

The injured duck was immediately taken to the county animal shelter in Linda Vista for treatment. According to DeSousa, the goal today was to remove the “bolts” or arrows.

“The duck survived the initial surgery to remove the bolts and will be under the care of an avian specialty veterinary hospital for the time being,” says DeSousa. In a couple of days, the bird will undergo further surgery to repair the damage.

No witnesses to the incident have come forward, notes DeSousa. “We are hoping that someone saw something or overhears something or knows a person that has a crossbow and uses similar bolts.” DeSousa explains that if authorities can find the person who did this, the charges would be felonies. “They would be looking at time in state prison,” he adds.

The care for the bird will be paid for by a fund established last year after a dog was savagely beaten at the U.S./Mexico border. According to DeSousa, assuming the bird survives, it will likely go to a rescue group or sanctuary.