In a heartwarming display of community spirit, firefighters in Owen Sound, Ontario, successfully rescued a brood of ducklings that had fallen through a sewer grate. The incident occurred on Monday, May 18, 2026, at a strip mall parking lot on 16th Street East. About nine little birds plummeted a metre or more into a water-filled storm sewer through openings in a heavy metal grate, prompting a swift response from local authorities.
Swift Rescue Operation
The rescue took less than 20 minutes, as Capt. Mark Young recounted. Firefighters Glenn Welsh and Clayton Kreuger took turns reaching down to retrieve the ducklings, using a bucket to scoop some out. Once safely on the ground, the ducklings quickly scurried back to their waiting mother, who appeared to have experienced a similar ordeal before. Young noted that about a year ago, firefighters responded to a similar call farther east along 16th Street, near Montana's restaurant. It is possible the same mother duck was involved, with a different brood this time.
"We've had it in the past and usually the ducklings just follow mom. And mom can walk over the sewer no problem," Young said with a chuckle. "But the little babies fall through the holes."
Good Samaritan Raises Alarm
The rescue was initiated by Pat Brennan, a local food truck delivery driver, who spotted the ducks in distress while making a delivery at Wendy's. He watched as the ducklings fell through the grate one by one and immediately tried to help. After lifting the grate, he found he could not reach the ducklings. He called various authorities but received little assistance, prompting him to turn to Facebook to rally help.
"I called everybody I could call in the phone book and nobody would give me the time of day," Brennan said. He recounted the mother duck's distress: "She looked back and started freaking out." His Facebook post at 7:38 a.m. generated a flurry of comments, and eventually, a firefighter's wife heard about the situation and alerted the department.
Brennan was present when firefighters arrived and expressed his gratitude. "Way to go, Pat. Well done. Congratulations on being persistent. Thanks OSFD too. Have a great day," read one comment on his post.
Community Support
The rescue highlights the strong bond between residents and local emergency services. Brennan, despite being a dedicated turkey hunter, showed compassion for the ducks. He noted that a swampy area behind Wendy's is a regular nesting site, with the mother duck raising broods annually. The successful operation underscores the importance of community vigilance and quick action in animal welfare situations.
