Enhanced image of ATV driver fuels new push for answers in Broward case where dozens of geese were killed

A Broward community is renewing its push for answers more than a year after a deadly case of animal cruelty in Cooper City that left dozens of Egyptian geese dead and remains under investigation.

Authorities say an off-road vehicle carrying four to five teenagers was seen driving through a lake and easement area between the Flamingo Gardens West subdivision and the Countryside Shops plaza around 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 28, 2024. Witnesses reported the vehicle repeatedly struck and killed about 30 Egyptian geese along Southwest 120th Avenue before fleeing into the Flamingo Townhomes subdivision. 

Egyptian geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and investigators are treating the case as a potential wildlife crime.

"If you can kill something harmless while they are asleep, what else are you capable of?" said resident Patti Fentner, whose backyard overlooks where the carnage occurred.

Fentner has spent months trying to identify those responsible, working with neighbors and local organizations to keep attention on the case. Broward County Crime Stoppers initially offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, later increasing it to $8,000. Despite the higher reward, no arrests have been made.

"I know there are people in this community who care what happened," Fentner said.

Cooper City neighbors share enhanced image of ATV driver

In a new effort to generate leads, another neighbor collaborated with a professional photographer to enhance an image believed to show the ATV driver. Fentner said she spoke with that neighbor by phone and was told the image is legitimate.

"He assured me there is no AI involved," she said.

The enhanced picture has been turned over to the Broward Sheriff's Office, which confirmed the investigation remains active and ongoing. Police are urging anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the vehicle's owner to come forward.

While she hopes those responsible are held accountable, Fentner said she does not necessarily want them sent to jail. Instead, she would like to see them perform community service working with defenseless animals so they better understand the harm caused.