Deputy Joe Ballard gives the thumbs up as the reunited duck family crosses Jackson Avenue safely.
Courtesy of WCSO
Listen, we’re all going through some tough times right now.
Studies from the University of Michigan are calling everyone narcissists. The latest thunderstorm-derecho-tornado-apocalypse is heading our way. Our pets' heads are falling off.
Deputy Ballard holds one of the distressed ducklings rescued from a Scio Township storm drain.
Courtesy of WCSO
But, take comfort in knowing that one Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office deputy has reunited seven ducklings with their mother in a rescue of cutetastic proportions.
At 6:55 p.m. Tuesday, Deputy Joe Ballard saw the mother duck and her seven waddling babies trying to cross Jackson Avenue in Scio Township. Understandably frightened by the passing cars, all seven ducklings managed to fall into a storm drain, Sgt. Paul Cook said in an email.
“Their fate was sealed,” Cook said.
However, Ballard had other plans.
He worked for two hours to remove the storm drain cover, improvising recovery tools and lying in the roadway. With the help of the Scio Township Fire Department, Ballard eventually got all seven of the ducklings out of their watery grave and into the loving care of their mother.
It's the second recent duckling rescue. Last month, Ypsilanti firefighters rescued 10 ducklings from a similar fate.
One might argue that, after working for hours to rescue the ducklings, Ballard had done more than enough to help the feathered family. But, Cook said he couldn’t let them waddle off into an unknown future without a little more help.
“Never quite done with his work, Deputy Joe Ballard then escorted the ducklings and their mother across the Jackson Avenue boulevard and on their way,” Cook said. “Job well done.”
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.