Posted on 04/16/2013 11:04:38 AM PDT by John Semmens
A 76-year-old Massachusetts man is facing weapons charges for shooting a bear in his backyard. Richard Ahlstrand of Auburn Massachusetts shot the bear when the 400 lb. animal attacked him as he was tending the bird-feeders he keeps on his property.
According to Massachusetts authorities, Ahlstrand should have called animal control officers to handle the wayward bear. “The State employs professionals trained in safe animal removal,” Rufus Bustard, spokesman for Massachusetts Attorney General. “A phone call would have brought these professionals to the scene within a matter of hours.”
Bustard dismissed Ahlstrand’s assertion that he had only seconds to defend himself as “self-serving. Even if true, the value to society of the life of a 76 year-old vs. that of the bear is by no means certain. Maybe a jury will let him off, but it is our job to represent the interests of the wildlife that may be endangered by people like him.”
if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...
http://azconservative.org/2013/04/12/obamacare-unworkable-gop-blamed/
Rufus Bustard, Government employee. You can’t make this stuff up.
I get the sarcasm now...LOL
3 Ss:
Shoot
Shovel. And
Shut up
Please, please. When dealing with Massachusetts or California, no sarcasm can be used.
None.
Because there is no discernible difference between reality and sarcasm in either place.
Feel sorry for those unfortunate enough to live there.
Is a shooting bear related to a dancing bear?
Ah, when seconds count: “A phone call would have brought these professionals to the scene within a matter of hours.”
Well, there you go. Bear could have been done mauling the old feller and be off doing other bear-things in the woods. Those things that bears do in the woods, you know.
Run from the bear? They’re faster than humans although I have to say that the slick brown streak I’d be leaving in my trail would make footing somewhat unsure for the pursuing bear and lighten my load thus making me faster.
While I can appreciate what you say about seconds counting in an emergency, this was not one of those times.
According to a story posted earlier about this incident, the old feller actually saw the bear the day before the shooting when he went out to refill his bird feeder(s), but did nothing about it.
The day of the shooting, he toted his shotgun with him when he went out to refill his bear-bait, er, bird feeders.
So, he had plenty of time to call animal control, but chose to handle this matter hisself.
Never mind that he lived in the middle of a suburban area of town.
Ok... I guess the man should have let the bear have him for dinner.
According to Massachusetts authorities, Ahlstrand should have called animal control officers to handle the wayward bear. “The State employs professionals trained in safe animal removal,” Rufus Bustard, spokesman for Massachusetts Attorney General. “A phone call would have brought these professionals to the scene within a matter of hours.”
A matter of HOURS?? The bear could have eaten him, then what? You'd have 1 less taxpayer in Mass.
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