Nearly 20 Swans Found Poisoned, Killed In Oakland County: PETA

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction on cruelty charges after nearly 20 swans have been found poisoned and killed around Maceday Lake in Oakland County since January.

The reward is being offered by the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

“These swans deserved to live peacefully with their families, but instead, they likely died in agony,” PETA Senior Director Stephanie Bell said. “PETA urges anyone with information about this case to come forward immediately, before anyone else gets hurt.”

According to a news release issued by PETA, the dead swans have all been found floating in the lake or lying on the shoreline. A necropsy performed on one of them found that it had been poisoned, possibly with antifreeze, and police believe that the killings may be connected, PETA officials said.

A police investigation has not yet turned up any leads, prompting PETA to offer the reward with the hopes the public can help provide information.

Swans are protected by anti-cruelty laws and that violators face imprisonment and heavy fines upon conviction, PETA officials said.