Clive Police Department Nabs PETA Award for Saving Duckling Trapped in Storm Drain

For Immediate Release:
May 13, 2025

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

A Compassionate Police Department Award is on its way from PETA to the Clive Police Department in recognition of Officer Gage Hawk’s kindness and determination in rescuing a baby duck who had become trapped inside a storm drain on May 2.

After removing the drain’s heavy metal grate and climbing inside to recover the distressed duckling, Officer Hawk made sure the baby bird was reunited with their mother, who was waiting anxiously in a nearby pond. In recounting the rescue, Chief of Police Mark Rehberg told PETA, “Because our city motto is ‘distinct by nature,’ we tend to look after all our residents, including the ones who swim and fly and walk on all fours.”

“This baby duck faced a terrifying ordeal stuck inside a dark and damp storm drain, but is now safely back with their family thanks to the compassion and swift action of Officer Hawk,” says PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA hopes this story will inspire everyone to give animals in need a helping hand.”

The Clive Police Department will receive a framed certificate along with delicious vegan chocolates from PETA.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram