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CAN OF TROUBLE: This raccoon was trapped by a Bonita Springs man who was trying to help it get a beer can off its paw. The female raccoon, named Beer Foot by its rescuer, had severely injured its paw in the can. Special to The News-Press

While I appreciate wildlife and hate to see an innocent animal suffer needlessly as much as I hate litterers, I can't help but wonder about the significance of one racoon with its foot stuck in a can when compared to the numbers that become roadkill everyday. Many of the racoons I see as roadkill are in fairly rural areas are probably are not pests. Having said that, it doesn't seem like their numbers are being impacted in any serious way.

Which brings up another subject - road kill. Many people seem to think road kill is quite funny. I think it's sad. The critters in question are just minding their business, trying to get from point A to point B, when POW! they're dead or dying. Not part of the natural order, and many of the roads around here are so busy that scavengers don't even get a chance to consume the carcass, so it's pretty much a complete waste.