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VALPARAISO — What's good for the goose is, well, a matter of opinion.

When Jennifer Saxe, of Valparaiso, discovered a goose with what appears to be a broken wing near her home on the city's north side, she said no one was willing to come out to rescue it.

And, if she would catch the goose to take to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, it likely would be euthanized.

Those options have led to sleepless nights, she says.

But experts who deal with injured wild animals said state and federal laws, along with cost, all play into the lengths taken to care for an injured animal.

Sometimes that care is humane euthanasia.

Stephanie Kadletz, director of the Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center near Valparaiso, said decisions regarding injured animals are often difficult to make, but are guided by state and federal regulations, which outline what must happen to animals under their care.

Because her agency is a nonprofit organization, it does not have the resources generally to pick up injured animals. In most cases, it relies on residents to bring in animals and birds.

And, in the case of a goose on a body of water, a rescue would become a literal wild goose chase, Kadletz said.

In the case of a goose with a severely injured wing, there are two options according to state and federal laws: humanely euthanize it, or treat it and place it at a facility that would use it for educational purposes.

Because a Canada goose is such a common bird, it is unlikely a facility would be able to take it long-term for educational purposes.

Kadletz said costs also can be an issue for animals that aren't expected to be returned to the wild. Facilities must take on the cost of caging, feeding and medical care.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources may be able to help in certain cases.

Michelle Cain, a wildlife information specialist for the DNR, said anyone who finds an animal believed to be injured should assess the situation as best they can.

First, decide whether it appears the animal would be able to live its life or heal on its own.

If it appears the injury is serious, the first call should be to a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If that doesn't take care of the issue, call the DNR law enforcement by contacting central dispatch.

A DNR officer may be able to help assess the situation, Cain said.

In some cases they may be able to help transport an animal. In other cases, depending on the injury or the animal, the animal may be euthanized.

Cain said special care should be taken if a person decides to try to take an animal to a licensed wildlife specialist. Injured animals are stressed and frightened. They should never be cornered, she said.

But the public needs to realize that not every injured animal or bird can be helped, Cain said.

Depending on the species and the injury, there are times a rehabilitator cannot treat an animal.

"Sometimes it’s hard, but we have to let nature be nature," Cain said. "Sometimes nature isn’t nice."

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