An Ankeny resident, Joseph Thomas Lamb, age 82, has been sentenced to six months of probation for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The sentencing took place on January 26, 2026.
Court documents and evidence presented during sentencing indicate that Lamb drove his vehicle into a flock of Canada Geese on State Street in Ankeny at approximately 6:30 am on June 10, 2025. He initially stopped to allow nine geese to cross in front of his car but then accelerated into the group while they were in his lane, resulting in the death of one goose. Along with probation, Lamb was fined $2,000.
The Canada Goose is among the species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provides a list of birds covered by this law. Penalties for violating the Act can include up to six months in prison, fines as high as $15,000, and supervised release for up to one year.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman for the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The case was investigated by the Ankeny Police Department.
Individuals with information about potential wildlife crimes are encouraged to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or submit reports through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using its Turn in Poachers (TIP) online form or by calling their hotline.
