DEC: Bald eagle shot, killed near Heuvelton

HEUVELTON — Officials with the state Department of Environmental Conservation are looking for help identifying the person responsible in the killing of a Bald Eagle earlier this week on the Oswegatchie River near the village.

The female eagle was observed as recently as Tuesday afternoon eating a deer carcass on the far side of the river along River Road in the Town of Oswegatchie. On Wednesday evening the eagle was seen dead on the ice near open water.

A DEC officer determined the eagle appeared to have been shot by someone located on the River Road side of the Oswegatchie River. A cause of death is still being investigated.

Those with information about the shooting are asked to contact Environmental Conservation Police at 785-2231 or at 1-800-847-7332, or by email at r6dsptch@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

State law prohibits killing or injuring a Bald Eagle, and persons convicted of killing the bird are subject to a penalty of up to $5,000 and 90 days in jail. People who provide information leading to a conviction of a shooter are entitled to half of the fine paid, up to $2,500.