Teen Pleads Guilty In Goose Attack

One of two teenage boys accused of skewering a goose with a tire iron has been sentenced to 20 days detention, nine months probation and 150 hours of community service.

The 17-year-old Kelso boy, who pleaded no contest Tuesday in Juvenile Court to first-degree animal cruelty, was also fined $100 and ordered to pay restitution to the clinic that nursed the goose back to health.

“You are fortunate that you were not remanded to adult court,” Commissioner David B. Hallin told the teen.

The boy declined his right to a trial.

“I don’t want to cause my community or my parents any more grief,” he said. “I’ll take what is given me.”

On Jan. 28, a man spotted a wounded goose at Lake Sacajawea. A tire iron had been thrust into the bird’s back and the sharp end protruded from its breast.

The bird survived surgery and has been returned to the lake. Outraged citizens offered a $950 reward to help catch those responsible.

Other youngsters then came forward, saying two teens had bragged about skewering the bird.

The second person arrested, a 17-year-old from Silver Lake, still faces a charge of first-degree animal cruelty.