 |
|
|
| |
PETA Pity Party: Stop Poisoning the Squirrels!!!
|
6960 Reads
|
|
|
|
| |
PETA's got my back, yo. Whut? WHUT?! |
I know I shouldn't make fun. Really I shouldn't.
But PETA has run out of causes, and is now protesting Santa Monica's squirrel control program.
Yes, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (not to be confused with People Eating Tasty Animals) are pressuring Mayor Pam O'Connor to order the immediate removal of poisoned bait left for squirrels at Palisades Park ...
|
|
Not only is poisoning squirrels cruel, it’s illegal. Failing to follow the product label on a pesticide is a violation of federal law. The product label on the pesticide used in the park clearly states that the substance is not to be used in reach of children, companion animals, or wildlife. After several concerned citizens complained about the poisoning, the California Department of Agriculture reportedly launched an investigation into the possible misuse of pesticides by the contractor hired by the city to poison the squirrels.
"Death from the poisons being used by the city is slow and agonizing," says PETA Wildlife Biologist Stephanie Boyles. "No one knows how many animals have suffered and died, but the mayor has the power to stop this cruel program and the obligation to stop any violations of local, state, or federal laws relating to the poisoning." If you're interested, you can see the full text of the letter here.
As I said, I shouldn't make fun, and I do have my doubts about the souls of the animals I eat for dinner every night. But speaking as an unrepentant carnivore who enjoys nothing more than the taste of a slab of ribs I've roasted on my own thoroughly un-PC charcoal-burning grill, I have to straddle the fence and:
a) side with PETA to say, geez, we really ought to be - what - trapping the squirrels and releasing them somewhere less bothersome.
Meanwhile, I ...
b) scoff and wonder why the hell they're not working on something more meaningful like picketing the horrifying meat farms of the Central Valley (Harris Ranch, anyone?) or the packing plant next to the L.A. River, if it's still there or Lawry's, for Chrissakes, instead of whining about the efficient extermination of a few dozen vermin (albeit cute, fuzzy vermin with faces) on city property.
I mean, they've taken on some worthy causes in the past, and this one just smacks of idle time.
Okay. Ummm ... I'm in for it now, aren't I?
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Posted by: Mack_Reed on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 09:03 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
