Hundreds of family pets, protected species killed by little known federal agency

Fox News ^ | March 13, 2013 | Cristina Corbin

[grundle]

Over the years, Wildlife Services has killed thousands of non-target animals in several states – from pet dogs to protected species – caught in body-gripping conibear traps and leg hold snares, or poisoned by lethal M-44 devices that explode sodium cyanide capsules when triggered by a wild animal – or the snout of a curious family pet.

The McCurtains, like many other families, were never informed that such deadly devices were placed so close to their home in grass near the edge of a pond where their young son kicks his soccer ball and their daughter catches turtles.

The traps, set on communal property owned by the neighborhood association, were meant to kill an infestation of nutria, rat-like pests that pose no danger to people but can be harmful to the environment. The only warning sign was a small placard in the grass that identified the device as government property and cautioned against tampering with it. The neighborhood association told the McCurtains it never would have approved such traps had it known they were so deadly.

"It’s unconscionable that anybody with an ounce of common sense would set these traps in an area frequented by the public and their pets," said Brooks Fahy, executive director of Predator Defense, a national watchdog group that advocates non-lethal predator control.

[bgill]

the neighborhood association

That's where most problems begin.

[pgkdan]

"It’s unconscionable that anybody with an ounce of common sense would set these traps in an area frequented by the public and their pets," said Brooks Fahy, executive director of Predator Defense, a national watchdog group that advocates non-lethal predator control.

well that's true but we're talking about the government so all arguments about rational thinking and common sense are invalid.

[Salamander]

OMG.

[Gaffer]

I could say something about vacations and locations, but prudence dictates that I should not.

[Slings and Arrows]

"Hi! I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you!"

[Impala64ssa]

Proving once again, Pres. Reagan was right. “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” And there are those who believe in trusting this gov’t to determine who’s mentally fit to be privileged to own firearms? Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[Texan5]

Absolutely true-and a big part of why I choose to live in BF Egypt...

[Fawn]

Then don’t move into one. They serve a purpose.

[Fawn]

That organization LOVES to kill things....they are the same idiots who blame cats for the bird population. All morons who love to kill things.

[lonevoice]

ping

[MarkL]

Just be glad they’re not using weaponized drones!

Mark

[freekitty]

Boy is it ever.

[Monkey Face]

One of the local TV cannels has a segment called, “The HOA Hall of Shame,” and about every 10 days, there is another HOA in the valley that is held to account by the public.

I love it. It has uncovered so much BS. I would never want to live in HOA-controlled property.

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

[trisham]

Exactly right.

[trisham]

They serve a purpose.

******************************

To kill family pets?

[Salamander]

If cats had been killed, she’d be pitching a fit but it’s just dead dogs so she’s all for it.

[trisham]

I’d bet money on that.

[Salamander]

I’m sure cats were killed too.

[probably ~many~ more than dogs as there are so many more running loose, overall but since they’re so easily buried they simply didn’t get reported]

I don’t like cats but the thought of them being slaughtered like this infuriates me.

The government has gone rogue in all respects.

It truly has become “us against them”.

[trisham]

I'm sure that there were cats killed.

I once lived in a condo, and had to live according to HOA policies. It was hideous, and did nothing but reinforce my desire for liberty.

I don't know why they didn't use live traps. Nutria make the most expensive and desirable fur coats.

[Salamander]

She should Google ‘cats in leg traps’.

Maybe she’d love the idea a little less.

[Osage Orange]

You are on record to being an animal rights activist here.

Yet you have no problem with this...!

Your little feral cats getting snuffed out doesn't bother you if you've signed some sort of property agreement??

Excellent.

[Salamander]

Live traps cost $50+ each.

Snap traps are much cheaper and you don’t have to worry about getting the animal out ASAP.

So what if it tortures the beast to death?

/s

[Salamander]

Cats are not the problem.

It’s BIRDS!

Horrible, evil, murderous BIRDS!

Seriously.

/facepalm

[ought-six]

Harm my dog and you’re toast.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Well, *cough*, Hi there!

:)

[rarestia]

Read the article. This has nothing to do with associations. This has to do with a little-known, relatively unregulated federal bureaucracy that’s putting not just fido but your children at risk. If you frequent public parks, wildlife preserves, or state and national forests, this affects you.

To boot, they use conibear traps. Look it up. They are sufficiently cruel and do not necessarily kill when sprung. They are designed to crush an animal’s windpipe or otherwise asphyxiate it. This poor woman’s family pet’s neck was broken by one of these.

I did not, however, read if the dog made it out of the ordeal okay, but by the tone of the article, I would guess it did not. Very sad. This story will haunt me for days.

[rarestia]

I’m sorry, I’ve read so much in response to this article that I confused myself. This woman’s collie was killed, but there are instances of dog’s living, albeit maimed, and even instructions on how to free yourself or a pet from one of these traps should they or you find yourself trapped in one.

[Osage Orange]

I'd like fawn to reply here..........

So, fawn what's your response?

[Salamander]

[Salamander]

If she Googled cats in traps like I did, she’s probably somewhere throwing up.

It was -bad-.

[Salamander]

Just read your tagline.

LOLOL

[Brad’s Gramma]

Nice teeth!! What breed of dog is that?

:)

[Salamander]

Chihuahua.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Ahhhhh.... I see.

Thanks!

[Salamander]

;D

[Brad’s Gramma]

I’m cleaning. Leave me alone.

See me vacuum?? SEE ME?

[momto6]

Later

[Brad’s Gramma]

Ya know what’s REALLY annoying?

Having a supervisor when you’re cleaning.

THAT is SO full of sarcasm I hope you’re wearing boots....

[Salamander]

And it’s not even morning, yet.

;D

[Brad’s Gramma]

LOL!!!

Yes, he got The Look, along with a few critical barbs....

[trisham]

I hope that the publicity from this forces them to discontinue this policy, and I would think that at least one pet owner might have sued by now.

It's horrible.

[Salamander]

Isn’t there some kind of law where the fedgov can’t be sued by citizens?

[Salamander]

I feel yer pain.

:)

[though I’d substitute “old buzzard hanging over my shoulder” for “supervisor”]

[Brad’s Gramma]

I WAS trying to be polite, you know.

[Salamander]

I’m too old and tired for “polite”....;)

[Brad’s Gramma]

No no! I was being polite on FR! Not in real life, no no no way Jose!

[Altariel]

Soverign imunity.

The Federal Tort Claims act allows you to sue federal employees acting within their official duties.

As you might expect, you, the private citizen, have to jump through a lot of hoops to do that much.

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/suing-government-negligence-FTCA-29705.html

[trisham]

I’m not sure how that works, but unhappy pet owners might be able to sue the HOA.