John Elliott, Floyd Cleland and Janet Cleland help remove a bandage from Aflac’s foot before he’s released back into the wild.
The line that wrapped around Aflac’s foot caused severe swelling over the period of about a week, it’s estimated.
While Aflac was successfully released back into the wild, he will have a limp for the next few days due to his injury. Fishermen are urged to always clean up their lines after visiting Mulberry Pond.
POMEROY — A leftover fishing line at Mulberry Pond caused an emergency visit to Meigs Veterinary Clinic.
Janet Cleland, who takes care of the pond now that Jim Smith has moved away, said that Sunday she and her husband, Floyd, discovered Aflac the duck’s injury.
Floyd and his friend, John Elliott, used Elliott’s boat with a trolling motor to finally catch the duck after about 40 minutes and bring him to the vet. During his visit, Aflac was given an antibiotic shot and the wire was cut from his foot. However, the foot will remain swollen and will need time to fully heal.
Cleland reminded anyone who decides to fish at the pond to clean up after themselves, or the animals in the area will be the ones facing the consequences.
“It took the vet a good 20 minutes to cut the wire out of the leg,” she said. “Fishermen just need to be careful. Fishermen just need to pick this stuff up.”
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, all lines must be removed after completion of use in the state of Ohio.
Reach Lindsay Kriz at 740-992-2155 EXT. 2555.
