Driver arrested after leaving ducks in hot van

Animal-welfare agents and police rescued 25 live ducks left in a hot van Tuesday evening after a passer-by heard panting inside the vehicle and alerted authorities.

Officials believe the ducks had been inside crates in the van, which was parked on Hamilton Street near 10th, for more than a day with no food or water, Pennsylvania SPCA spokeswoman Sarah Eremus said.

As one of their more famous, fictional brethern, Daffy Duck, might say: That's despicable!

The driver of the van, Wan Wah Chuen, 46, was charged with animal cruelty. He is employed by Q & Q Live Poultry Market on Spring Garden Street near 12th, Eremus said. He signed the ducks over to the PSPCA, where they're now recovering at the agency's shelter on Erie Avenue near Whitaker in North Philadelphia.