Canada in legal fight to deport US flying squirrel

Reuters ^ | October 7, 2004 | Reuters staff

[Stoat]

A flying squirrel named Sabrina is at the center of a fight between Canada, which wants to deport the rodent, and its owner who says the creature is harmless and has bonded to him.

  Ottawa wants to send the animal back to the United States, citing a 2003 ban on importing rodents into the country after a monkeypox outbreak south of the border last year.

  Naturalist Steve Patterson, who brought the squirrel across the border last June after filling out the necessary papers, said the government is simply being stubborn.

  "The good the squirrel can do far outweighs the bad," he said on Wednesday. "If we could apply for refugee status, I would certainly put an application in for her, but I don't think the laws cover small, baby squirrels."

  It is illegal to capture flying squirrels in Ontario, prompting Patterson to travel to Indiana to obtain the animal for educational purposes, he said.

  Patterson, whose squirrel got a clean bill of health from a veterinarian, won the opening round of the court battle after a judge denied Ottawa's request to make him turn Sabrina over.

  But an appeal is pending and Patterson has lined up high-profile lawyer Clayton Ruby to defend the animal.

  "Granted, he's not the cheapest lawyer around but I felt that Sabrina deserved the best defense," Patterson said. "When you're fighting the federal government, you've got to have some good guns there."

  The saga began in July when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency told Patterson the squirrel had to go, issuing a removal order and giving him three days to move it back to the U.S.

  Requests for extensions and an intervention by his local parliamentarian fell on deaf ears, Patterson said, adding that sending Sabrina to another U.S. home is no longer an option.

  "During that time, the animal has completely bonded to me. It's a motherhood thing," he said. "The animal is now my responsibility."

  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it cannot comment on the specifics of the case since it is before the courts.

  "Our mandate is to prevent the introduction of disease and sometimes it comes in the most unlikeliest of places," said Debbie Barr, the agency's senior staff veterinarian in Ottawa.

  "Based on the existence of a prohibition, the animal should not have been allowed into the country."

  Patterson has set up a Web site at http://www.glaucomys.org/sabrina/ to appeal for donations to the Save Sabrina Legal Defense Fund, to help pay for his legal battle.

 

 

 

[mewzilla]

Canada lays out the welcome mat for Islamists, and wants to kick out a harmless, adorable little squirrel.

What's wrong with this picture?!

[Mr. K]

In this case I agree with Canada.
Importing creatures can be extremely hazardous, he knew the laws, he decided to try to go to Canada with it AGAINST those laws, he is a dumba$$ for raising ll this trouble for a rodent.

[areafiftyone]

[akorahil]

Well, here's another importer of flying squirrels.
Hides 'em in his hat apparently...

[mewzilla]

Squirrels in pursuit of Truth, Justice, and the American Way!

[CedarDave]

It's Private Hamster!!

[Constantine XIII]

bump

[ProudVet77]

Isn't the Flying Squirrel the name of Mrs Kerry's (T-Rex's) G5 aircraft. So even the canucks don't want that nut job.

[gunnygail]

If the squirrel could pay taxes, he'd be allowed to stay.

[mewzilla]

Or if she declared herself a draft dodger.

[Servant of the 9]

Importing creatures can be extremely hazardous, he knew the laws, he decided to try to go to Canada with it AGAINST those laws, he is a dumba$$ for raising ll this trouble for a rodent.

He filled out the apropriate forms, and government agents let him enter the country with the animal. He did not smuggle it.
Since it was their error, and the animal has been certified disease free, he should be allowed to keep it.

At least until hunting season.

So9

[Dr.Deth]

You knew this was coming:

[goldstategop]

Sabrina is adorable... what do Canadian bureaucrats have against her? Its not like she's going to bring communicable disease into the Dominion and the burden should be on them to prove she's a risk to public health. Let's it hear for flying squirrels!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Geez. Who hasn't been deported from Canada?

[Fiddlstix]

Ping

[FreedomFarmer]

I have a really good recipe.

[Gingersnap]

"It is illegal to capture flying squirrels in Ontario, prompting Patterson to travel to Indiana to obtain the animal for educational purposes, he said."

Let me get this straight - the guy needs a squirrel for "educational" purposes? One viewing of "Willard" can teach anyone all they need to know about squirrels. What is a squirrel but cute type of rat?

However, the guy should now keep the rat...I mean squirrel, since we have plenty.

[Nathan Zachary]

Wait till it grows up a little, then it can be target practice for a kid with his .22. Squirrel pelts make good bookmarks, thus encouraging youth to read, as well as educating them in how to skin an animal and treat the fur.

How many times have you been out deer hunting, sitting patiently, waiting for hours, but this pesky squirrel keeps screaming out your location? Finaly, your will breaks, and you waste the little bugger.

Canadians sure like to spend money on stupid things, and waste valuable court time on them, rather than on more important things, like kicking terrorists out of the country. Corks for leaky submarines.

[Gingersnap]

"Finally, your will breaks, and you waste the little bugger. "

Oh, yes, this is soooo true. If only we could that combination of frustration and firepower on other problems!