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Batavia police: Kids did not attack goose during high school fundraiser

A group of kids accused of kicking and stomping on a goose last week did not do so, Batavia police said Thursday.

A Fox Valley Wildlife Center intern claimed she witnessed kids abusing the goose Friday during a Batavia High School fundraiser, representatives for the Elburn wildlife hospital said Sunday.

The injured goose was brought into the center before it was transferred to Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

The Fox Valley Wildlife Center posted details on Facebook during the weekend, though its original message was removed because it became too difficult to keep up with comments.

The allegations weren't reported to police, but Batavia authorities were alerted of the situation Monday through social media, Batavia police said in a Facebook post Thursday.

During its investigation, police spoke to the witness and determined the claims are unfounded.

"Investigators learned that the initial social media reports were inaccurate and that abuse by youth patrons against the goose never occurred," the post said. "It is believed that the goose was likely emaciated prior to human contact by the witness."

Laura Kirk, director of animal care at the Fox Valley Wildlife Center, said the center has not been in contact with the intern and will not try to investigate the situation further.

"I think it was a big misunderstanding. There's no way to know for sure what really happened," she said. "Whatever happened, we're just glad the goose is being cared for now."

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