posted March 28, 2017 08:47 PM            

“I have been in touch with one individual who has photographs, and we are trying to locate the person of interest. We are asking people to come forward if they were witness to this event,” said Drever.

Complaints poured in over the weekend after the well-known bird was allegedly whacked on the head by a volunteer and left unconscious in front of outraged parents and distraught children at a kids’ soccer tournament in east Vancouver on Saturday.

Drever said the SPCA is investigating and may recommend charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Section 445.1. “We will gather evidence and present it to Crown counsel,” said Drever.

Shawn Bergman, who runs the Canuck and I Facebook page, said emotions are running high among Canuck’s fans, and he’s urging witnesses to use official channels to seek justice for the crow. “We all want the investigation to proceed, and don’t condone any kind of vigilante actions,” said Bergman.

Bergman said Canuck’s favourite feathered friend, a female crow dubbed “Cassiar,” has been hanging around his front door squawking mournfully since Canuck went to the hospital Sunday. “She did the same thing when Canuck flew up to Whistler for three days,” said Bergman. “I don’t speak crow, but I’d guess she’s wondering where he went.”

Canuck continues to recover at the Night Owl Bird Hospital under the care of veterinarian Dr. Anne McDonald. McDonald said Canuck undoubtedly had a head injury and, although he appears to be brightening up, will be kept under observation for several more days, and then assessed by a bird rehab specialist before being returned to his territory.

“He’s a spectacular bird,” said McDonald, “I’ve seen a lot of crows, and he is very special.”

Bergman hasn’t visited because he doesn’t want to distract Canuck from his recovery. Bird lovers have rallied in support of Canuck, and Bergman is raising concerns after hearing of five separate fundraising campaigns that have started in Canuck’s name.

Bergman confirmed that McDonald is caring for Canuck free of charge, but the Night Owl Bird Hospital is largely funded by donation. “The best way to help is to make a donation in Canuck’s name directly to the Night Owl Bird Hospital,” said Bergman.

Bergman said he has had hundreds of messages and emails, but hasn’t had time to deal with them during the ordeal. Although he hopes any funds raised will go to the bird hospital, he can’t confirm the veracity of any of the fundraising pages at this time.

Murray Smith, inspector with the Lower Mainland Conservation Officer Service, Ministry of Environment, said crows aren’t protected in the same way some species are. “Crows are a lesser-managed species,” said Smith. “Some people consider them a nuisance.”

The northwestern crow is regulated under Schedule C of the Wildlife Act, and can only be killed or removed from public property with a hunting licence. (If they are damaging your property — stealing chicks from the henhouse, for example — you don’t need a licence to kill or remove a crow.)

However, said Murray, it isn’t OK to hurt or injure a wild animal or leave an animal injured. “We have a 24-hour call centre (1-877-952-7277 or 1-877-952 RAPP or text #7277) that handles 30,000 complaints a year. We ask people to phone and report, leave their name and number, and we would follow up and investigate, and we have authority to investigate under the Criminal Code and Wildlife Act.”

Murray said that because the SPCA has started a probe, it’s likely they will take the lead on this case.

Anyone with information on Canuck the Crow can contact Drever by email at edrever@spca.bc.ca or leave a tip on the SPCA animal-cruelty hotline at 1-855-622-7722.

dryan@postmedia.com

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