Please help stop these acts of violence

[jo_schmoe]

THIS NEEDS TO STOP!
This squirrel was shot for climbing a screen. He was found by a teenage girl and died 2 hrs later.
The woman who shot him freely admitted doing so. FWC is involved but will likely do nothing as its "just a squirrel".
You can clearly see 2 pellets were shot....meaning she shot it....then shot again to try and make sure it was dead. This is animal cruelty at its finest!

I am trying to organize a petition to have charges filed on this woman. I NEED HELP. If anyone has ever made a petition your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated!! Even if nothing done legally....she needs to at MINIMUM be shamed for her actions!

[jo_schmoe]

I should also mention that this was a released squirrel....this could happen to any of our released babies if acts such as this go on.

[pappy1264]

I have never started a petition, but you KNOW I will sign one for this!! This is insane and beyond cruelty...for climbing on a screen? OMG.....was it one of yours?

[jo_schmoe]

I have never started a petition, but you KNOW I will sign one for this!! This is insane and beyond cruelty...for climbing on a screen?
Yep...the lady said she was afraid he would loosen it. Makes me sick.

[jo_schmoe]

I have never started a petition, but you KNOW I will sign one for this!! This is insane and beyond cruelty...for climbing on a screen? OMG.....was it one of yours?
No, this happened in Land O' Lakes FL. And the woman is boasting about it. IF it was one of mine....I would have been on her doorstep ready to whoop some A$$!!!

[mpetys]

The rehabber this happened to is a friend of mine. Well, like most of my TSB friends, I have never met her but we talk, pick up squirrels from the same place etc.

Land O'Lakes is in the unincorporated section of Pasco County. According to the Pasco County Code:

Sec. 14-37. - Cruelty.

(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to be cruel to or to commit a cruel act upon any animal. The term "cruelty" means any act of neglect, torture or torment that causes unjustifiable pain or suffering of an animal. The following acts shall be deemed cruelty to animals; however, this list shall not be construed as excluding other acts which may amount to cruelty: (1)
Any person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily or cruelly beats, mutilates or kills any animal or causes such to be done or carries in or upon any vehicle or otherwise any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner shall be in violation of this section. (2)
Any person who impounds or confines any animal in any place and fails to supply that animal, during such confinement, with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water or who keeps any animal in an enclosure without wholesome exercise, sanitary conditions and change of air shall be in violation of this section.

(3)
Any person who shall poison, put out or place poison at any point or place outside where dogs or cats may secure the poison shall be in violation of this section.

(4)
Any person who leaves a dog, cat or other animal unattended in a parked vehicle with inadequate or no ventilation shall be in violation of this section.

(b)
Any person using reasonable force in defending his animals, livestock or a human being from attack by another animal shall be exempt from this section.

(Code 1970, § 7-38(a), (b); Ord. No. 87-25, § 13, 10-27-87)

State law reference— Cruelty to animals generally, F.S. § 828.12.


This last line in the Pasco County code references the State Statute in regards to animal cruelty. This statute is under the section of the state statutes entitled CRIMES. Here is the state statute 828.12:

828.12 Cruelty to animals.—(1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.(2) A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
(a) A person convicted of a violation of this subsection, where the finder of fact determines that the violation includes the knowing and intentional torture or torment of an animal that injures, mutilates, or kills the animal, shall be ordered to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $2,500 and undergo psychological counseling or complete an anger management treatment program.
(b) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection shall be required to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $5,000 and serve a minimum mandatory period of incarceration of 6 months. In addition, the person shall be released only upon expiration of sentence, shall not be eligible for parole, control release, or any form of early release, and must serve 100 percent of the court-imposed sentence. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subsection.
(3) A veterinarian licensed to practice in the state shall be held harmless from either criminal or civil liability for any decisions made or services rendered under the provisions of this section. Such a veterinarian is, therefore, under this subsection, immune from a lawsuit for his or her part in an investigation of cruelty to animals.
(4) A person who intentionally trips, fells, ropes, or lassos the legs of a horse by any means for the purpose of entertainment or sport shall be guilty of a third degree felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. As used in this subsection, “trip” means any act that consists of the use of any wire, pole, stick, rope, or other apparatus to cause a horse to fall or lose its balance, and “horse” means any animal of any registered breed of the genus Equus, or any recognized hybrid thereof. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply when tripping is used:
(a) To control a horse that is posing an immediate threat to other livestock or human beings;
(b) For the purpose of identifying ownership of the horse when its ownership is unknown; or
(c) For the purpose of administering veterinary care to the horse.
History.—s. 4, ch. 4971, 1901; GS 3395; RGS 5244; CGL 7363; s. 2, ch. 70-50; s. 4, ch. 71-12; s. 949, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 82-116; s. 2, ch. 89-194; s. 5, ch. 94-339; s. 1286, ch. 97-102; s. 26, ch. 99-391; s. 35, ch. 2000-308; s. 1, ch. 2002-51.

[Tickle's Mom]

Go to

Change.org and start your petition.


RIP precious one - and special place in he** for that witch with a capital "B".

[mpetys]

I think it it important, when you do the petition (:thankyou ), that besides explaining why what this person did is a crime against the laws of Florida and Pasco County but that for the authorities to do nothing is the same as them condoning what she did. And yet, we are shocked and surprised when we hear of children and teenagers killing animals.

http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/27/TampaBay/Llamas__attacker_plea.shtml

The link above is to an animal cruelty case in Pinellas county, next to Pasco County. The young men pleaded guilty to the golf-club beating of two pet llamas and numerous other crimes. They dragged a 3-month-old llama named Willie Wonka under a fence. It struggled to get away but was clubbed, kicked and punched. Its left eye was gouged out. When an adult female llama named Monopoly approached, they turned their attack on it.

Monopoly died a few hours later on the way to a hospital. A necropsy found that the llama had been sodomized and suffered 50 to 100 blows, mostly around its reproductive organs.

It was also found that these creeps like to shoot squirrels with BB guns. Wonder if they used to be neighbors with the person in Land O'Lakes?

[astra]

this is horrendous... I will sign whatever petition there is... I should not have read this - I have loads to study and I cannot even think straight after reading this - it made me literally sick...

[jo_schmoe]

Go to

Change.org and start your petition.


RIP precious one - and special place in he** for that witch with a capital "B".
Thats exactly where I am starting it!! Thank you!!
M...I will most definitely include that info.

[mpetys]

Thats exactly where I am starting it!! Thank you!!
M...I will most definitely include that info.

Thank you so much for taking this on. I'll check back later. Got 12 babies are complaining that their food is late! :shakehead

[jo_schmoe]

Thank you so much for taking this on. I'll check back later. Got 12 babies are complaining that their food is late! :shakehead
No worries!!! Im here to help.
Im gathering all the info I can...might take a day or two to get done.

[Tickle's Mom]

:bowdown :grouphug :bowdown

[mpetys]

This just gets worse and worse. My friend was told by FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) that while it is legal for someone to shoot a squirrel as they are considered a nuisance animal, the only thing they can fault this neighbor with is that she was a poor shot! This is the agency that licenses rehabbers and this is their attitude?? Oh and also, she was told that she cannot release squirrels or feed them on her property as she is the one creating a nuisance! She is a rehabber who is sub-permitted under Karen Clark, who is a licensed rehabber.

So, I guess what I want to know is this: why does Florida FWC even bother to license rehabbers to rehab squirrels if they don't give a @#$* about the squirrels. So anyone can kill a squirrel for any reason whatsover and if they only injure the squirrel, leaving it to crawl off and die a painful, slow death it is just a joke about the shooter being a poor shot. This is a slap in the face to all rehabbers (licensed and unlicensed) who devote their time, their money and their hearts to these animals.

[jo_schmoe]

This just gets worse and worse. My friend was told by FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) that while it is legal for someone to shoot a squirrel as they are considered a nuisance animal, the only thing they can fault this neighbor with is that she was a poor shot! This is the agency that licenses rehabbers and this is their attitude?? Oh and also, she was told that she cannot release squirrels or feed them on her property as she is the one creating a nuisance! She is a rehabber who is sub-permitted under Karen Clark, who is a licensed rehabber.

So, I guess what I want to know is this: why does Florida FWC even bother to license rehabbers to rehab squirrels if they don't give a @#$* about the squirrels. So anyone can kill a squirrel for any reason whatsover and if they only injure the squirrel, leaving it to crawl off and die a painful, slow death it is just a joke about the shooter being a poor shot. This is a slap in the face to all rehabbers (licensed and unlicensed) who devote their time, their money and their hearts to these animals.
AND it sends a pretty messed up message to our youth....especially the 19 year old that is serving an 8 year prison sentence for animal cruelty in the area.

[mpetys]

I would think that even if the neighbors didn't care about squirrels, they would still be concerned about this person using this gun in a neighborhood with kids and other animals (cats and dogs). I would like to think that even if they didn't care about squirrels, they could see that it was not right and that their kids should have a better example set for them.

I realize that we're not going to have kids tripping over themselves to start shooting squirrels but all it would take would be for one or two to try it for themselves for this to be an ongoing tragedy.

[jo_schmoe]

I do see one way she can be nailed....hunting out of season and possibly without a license. Grey squirrel season in FL is Nov 12-March 4.

[jo_schmoe]

I do see one way she can be nailed....hunting out of season and possibly without a license. Grey squirrel season in FL is Nov 12-March 4.
Would be very helpful if we could get a group of hunters to sign the petition. I know the hunters in my area DO NOT put up with ANY sort of hunting out of season....sure it happens but most will turn the person in. If they have to follow the rules...so should everyone.

[mpetys]

Would be very helpful if we could get a group of hunters to sign the petition. I know the hunters in my area DO NOT put up with ANY sort of hunting out of season....sure it happens but most will turn the person in. If they have to follow the rules...so should everyone.

I don't know that this will really work as the information I got from FWC several months ago about the shooting of squirrels was that the State of Florida considers squirrels a nuisance and as such, citizens can kill them,even with a gun as long as they are legally able to discharge that firearm on the property where the squirrel is to be shot. I am just surprised that there is a season for gray squirrels. The world is looking pretty sad about right now. :shakehead

[jo_schmoe]

LOL. Im trying everything and every angle I can think of.
If they can be killed at anytime.....why in the heck would they have a season for them. Thats plain silly. :thinking

[Mavrycs Mommy]

:shakehead :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead

[jo_schmoe]

I believe I have it finished. Amazing what a pot of Starbucks can do!!
http://www.change.org/petitions/florida-fish-and-wildlife-conservation-commission-enforce-and-uphold-the-animal-cruelty-laws-for-all-animals?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=own_wall

[jo_schmoe]

I don't know that this will really work as the information I got from FWC several months ago about the shooting of squirrels was that the State of Florida considers squirrels a nuisance and as such, citizens can kill them,even with a gun as long as they are legally able to discharge that firearm on the property where the squirrel is to be shot. I am just surprised that there is a season for gray squirrels. The world is looking pretty sad about right now. :shakehead
There is such a big difference is taking a clean shot at something...and having to shoot more than once and even then the animal was still alive. Don't get me wrong...Im not supporting the idea of a kill shot to a squirrel....but I think its how we may get this lady punished. Leaving an animal to suffer is beyond sick....even hunters go by the old standard of "put it out of its misery"

[stosh2010]

I signed the petition and e-mailed it to another for their signature.
Silence is Consent

[jo_schmoe]

I signed the petition and e-mailed it to another for their signature.
Silence is Consent
Well said my friend! And TY!!

[jo_schmoe]

As soon as I get a number of signatures...I will print it off and send its on its way.

[mpetys]

I believe I have it finished. Amazing what a pot of Starbucks can do!!
http://www.change.org/petitions/florida-fish-and-wildlife-conservation-commission-enforce-and-uphold-the-animal-cruelty-laws-for-all-animals?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=own_wall

Just read the petition. You referenced Pinellas County. I think you meant Pasco County as that is where Land O'Lakes is located. Pinellas county is the county that does enforce animal cruelty laws. Can you make that change even with signatures on it or will they make you start over?

I will sign it either way.

[chickenmom]

Signed.

Well written Jo! :thumbsup

[jo_schmoe]

Just read the petition. You referenced Pinellas County. I think you meant Pasco County as that is where Land O'Lakes is located. Pinellas county is the county that does enforce animal cruelty laws. Can you make that change even with signatures on it or will they make you start over?

I will sign it either way.
No...if you read it again...I am referring to the tragedy that happened in Pinellas county as a resource on why animal cruelty and exposing such acts on youth has a powerful impact.

[jo_schmoe]

No...if you read it again...I am referring to the tragedy that happened in Pinellas county as a resource on why animal cruelty and exposing such acts on youth has a powerful impact.
It is later referenced about the woman in Land O Lakes....

[jo_schmoe]

Made a few changes so no there will be no confusion.

[mpetys]

Thanks. I just posted it to Facebook hopefully a few will sign it.

[jo_schmoe]

Thanks. I just posted it to Facebook hopefully a few will sign it.
You ROCK Michelle!! Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention.

[Jackie in Tampa]

get me an address....

[Jackie in Tampa]

sometimes in life there are things that cannot be fixed...
cannot be stopped, laws that will never be upheld etc..
frustration can be terminal...

However...
there are ads after Christmas, in the local media sights,
that ask for all used and unwanted Christmas trees...
to be brought to a posted address.....:)

:thinking not sure why anyone would want 867 dead prickley gnarlly trees stacked up in their front yard...
I have no idea why.....:dono


:rotfl :rotfl
when you can't change it...make life fun, or funny!~:tilt

[Jackie in Tampa]

I was just kidding...:peace
I have been fighting BB guns and buttheads for a long time../
I have rallied for people not to drive fast on my street..
I have fought to keep baby sqs out of chippers...
I have signed petitions..
I feel the pain and agony the same as you...
I KNOW that shooting sqs creates a VOID...meaning there are no sqs to pPRotect a PECAN TREE...so shooting them is not the answer...but tell that to an idiot that wants pecans from his tree...THE ONLY PECAN TREE IN SOUTH TAMPA...

I have called a pastor on a tree trimmer in hopes of showing his guilt...
I have rolled a soccer ball out in the street in front of a car to slow him down :sanp3 rrrrrrrrr fast drivers...:nono
sometimes you need to be smarter than the un noticed laws...
sometimes you have to challange head on...
very few people will even recognize a zillion signatures if for ONLY A SQUIRREL...
I am not saying to NOT RAISE signatures...
I just know what to expect...no one really cares...:shakehead

I am NOT pessimistic...sigh, I have battled too many battles...

trappers suck too...my worst enemy is a trapper...making a buck moving wildlife to unestablished locations...
dropping them off where there is no food, over population, preditors...leaving babies alone to die...

Squirrels have a very hard time in this fast paced self centered world where ipods are king...tinfoil


ok, I am done ranting...:rantonof

where do I sigh.....:Love_Icon

[pappy1264]

Ok, what about this.....is there an law about unloading a weapon within certain area to other houses/people? Hell, they may not care about the squirrels, but this persons bullet could have gone stray and hurt or killed someone else.....maybe go after her THAT WAY?????

[mpetys]

Ok, what about this.....is there an law about unloading a weapon within certain area to other houses/people? Hell, they may not care about the squirrels, but this persons bullet could have gone stray and hurt or killed someone else.....maybe go after her THAT WAY?????

I looked for that angle. It seems there used to be a code against that but it was repealed in either 2003 or 2008. In the notes, it says it was replaced with code 3-24, but when you look that up, it says RESERVED, which I beleive means that they have reserved the code space for a replacement but have not replaced it yet. I'm still trying to find something along that angle. Like I said before, the neighbours should be upset even if they don't care about the squirrel. What about their kids, their domestic pets?

[island rehabber]

Signed, and left my comments too...

[kimpamwright]

Signed, and left my comments too...


:thumbsup me too

[jo_schmoe]

I was just kidding...:peace
I have been fighting BB guns and buttheads for a long time../
I have rallied for people not to drive fast on my street..
I have fought to keep baby sqs out of chippers...
I have signed petitions..
I feel the pain and agony the same as you...
I KNOW that shooting sqs creates a VOID...meaning there are no sqs to pPRotect a PECAN TREE...so shooting them is not the answer...but tell that to an idiot that wants pecans from his tree...THE ONLY PECAN TREE IN SOUTH TAMPA...

I have called a pastor on a tree trimmer in hopes of showing his guilt...
I have rolled a soccer ball out in the street in front of a car to slow him down :sanp3 rrrrrrrrr fast drivers...:nono
sometimes you need to be smarter than the un noticed laws...
sometimes you have to challange head on...
very few people will even recognize a zillion signatures if for ONLY A SQUIRREL...
I am not saying to NOT RAISE signatures...
I just know what to expect...no one really cares...:shakehead

I am NOT pessimistic...sigh, I have battled too many battles...

trappers suck too...my worst enemy is a trapper...making a buck moving wildlife to unestablished locations...
dropping them off where there is no food, over population, preditors...leaving babies alone to die...

Squirrels have a very hard time in this fast paced self centered world where ipods are king...tinfoil


ok, I am done ranting...:rantonof

where do I sigh.....:Love_Icon
I understand what you are saying....but to just sit back on the assumption that "nobody cares" and do nothing based on such an assumption does even less.
If ONE person sees this petition...and thinks twice about shooting a squirrel....then that is a huge accomplishment. The FWC needs to understand that some of us...mainly the 165 people that have signed the petition wont tolerate such acts of violence....PERIOD!
BTW....WE GOT 165 SIGNATURES!!!!!!!

[mpetys]

I understand what you are saying....but to just sit back on the assumption that "nobody cares" and do nothing based on such an assumption does even less.
If ONE person sees this petition...and thinks twice about shooting a squirrel....then that is a huge accomplishment. The FWC needs to understand that some of us...mainly the 165 people that have signed the petition wont tolerate such acts of violence....PERIOD!
BTW....WE GOT 165 SIGNATURES!!!!!!!

You're right. I posted this on Facebook (i'm not a real active facebook user but do have a few friends and family on) and even if no one else signs the petition, I have taken a stand and said, "this is wrong". They might not get it right now, but who knows how this may help change someones thinking down the road.

Yeah, thanks to all who have signed the petition.

[pappy1264]

signed and passed on to friends to have them sign and put it on their fb pages and ask others to do the same.

[Mochi&Mocha]

I will sign this petition too! Poor squirrel :shakehead

[Tickle's Mom]

Signed, signed and signed. Posted to FB, Twitter and sent to Ander Crenshaw, my Congressman and Bill Nelson, Senator. Both from Jacksonville. Ander has a daughter, whom I am friends with, and she is an avid animal lover. :thumbsup

[jo_schmoe]

Signed, signed and signed. Posted to FB, Twitter and sent to Ander Crenshaw, my Congressman and Bill Nelson, Senator. Both from Jacksonville. Ander has a daughter, whom I am friends with, and she is an avid animal lover. :thumbsup
:thumbsup
I dont know if you guys can see who has signed....but we are getting sigs from ALL over the place. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, France, U.K. and the Netherlands just to name a few.

[Tickle's Mom]

Just sent to some friends in Hungary. I sponsored them three years ago so they could live here for a year - not sure what time it is there but, they will respond and pass along too.:D

[Tickle's Mom]

Friends are telling me they cannot submit- keep getting an error message????

[jo_schmoe]

Friends are telling me they cannot submit- keep getting an error message????
Lemme go check it out

[jo_schmoe]

Lemme go check it out
Everything looks ok on this end. :dono
Let me know if its still an issue.

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Jo
I did not have a problem signing.:dono
I signed and I'm sending to a few people to sign and send out.:thumbsup3

[jo_schmoe]

:wave123 Jo
I signed and I'm sending it out to a few people to sign and send out.:thumbsup3
you RULE....as always...:D
Rocky and Rhoada say HELLO!!!

[Twi_prime]

Signed and included my reason. Good luck! :grouphug

[mousehole]

I as well and included my two cent's worth:soapbox

[MiriamS]

Michele and JoShmoe, thank you so much for starting this petition and pursing action. I signed the petition and forwarded it to friends so hopefully they will sign. I also sent the following email to the Pasco County Sheriff. I encourage people to minimally copy my text and send it as well.

FWC only lists phone numbers but supposedly to report wildlife law violations, call 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922)


http://www.pascosheriff.com/webapps/psofbdt.pgm

Dear Pasco County Sheriff,

Animal cruelty is animal cruelty regardless of whether the victim is a dog, cat, horse or in the horrifying case involving a double-shooting, a squirrel. That a woman would feel that it is okay and that she has the right to shoot a squirrel just because it climbed across her screen is frightening.

It is an embarrassment to Florida that the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission do not consider this animal cruelty. Most other states would pursue criminal prosecution. Whether a common animal or not, the fact is that this squirrel was shot and left to die a slow and painful death is inexcusable.

This squirrel managed to drag himself to hide under neighbors car where it was found by a young girl clinging to its life. She sought help for him but the squirrel later died. What must this young girl think about the fact that the authorities don't care and take no action against such a senseless act of violence? What are we teaching our children if we allow this activity to be condoned by the very authorities that can and should do something about this?

According to the Pasco County Code Sec. 14-37, "Cruelty" is defined and outlawed as stated:
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to be cruel to or to commit a cruel act upon any animal. The term "cruelty" means any act of neglect, torture or torment that causes unjustifiable pain or suffering of an animal.

This last line in the Pasco County code references the state statute 828.12 in regards to animal cruelty entitled CRIMES, clearly describing the aforementioned act as inhumane and punishable by fine, arrest, prosecution and even psychological evaluation.

Please issue a statement that your office does not condone cruelty to any animals. Please also fine the shooter for hunting squirrels out of season and pursue criminal action. She should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Sincerely,
Miriam Stein

[mousehole]

Amen to that, the truly sad thing about this is if it had been a family's kitten - it would have been plastered all over the 6 o'clock news with the anchor people looking disgusted and horrified and the cries for immediate action and charges brought against this woman echoing across the media.:shakehead

[jo_schmoe]

Here is their email addy if anyone wants to email them their thoughts.
commissioners@myfwc.com
Stick it to em guys!!!

[mpetys]

Latest I have heard is that a reporter interviewed the rehabber for about 40 minutes. Word is an article may be published this weekend.

Also, the rehabber filed a complaint with the Pasco County Animal Services, who the Animal Protection League says handles ALL animal cruelty cases, and basically was told that squirrels are considered small game which is the jurisdiction of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. As for discharging a firearm, or in this case a pellet gun, would be the responsibility of the PCSO whom the complainant contacted as well.

Also, Karen Clark found this right on FWC website:

Nuisance wildlife may be taken using live traps or snares, or, where allowed, firearms during daylight hours. All traps and snares must be inspected at least once every 24 hours. The discharge of a firearm is prohibited in most cities and residential areas, check with local law enforcement. BB guns and pellet rifles are not allowed for taking wildlife. A permit issued by the FWC regional offices is required to use steel traps to take destructive mammals (excluding species prohibited by the FWC). A Gun and Light at Night Permit and a hunting license are required to use a firearm and a light at night to remove nuisance armadillo, beaver, bobcat, coyote, fox, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, or hog causing destruction of crops and/or livestock.

Keep up the good work everyone! I'm trying to find out what paper the reporter was with so if there is an article published this weekend, we don't miss it.

[mpetys]

Oh, here is another angle. Here is the link to the Pasco County Commissioners. Maybe a few letters to them asking them to have the Pasco County Animal Services and the Sheriff's Office enforce the animal cruelty laws might get some attention. They are, after all, elected officials. I would suggest that after an article is published, that we all send copies of the article and a note to the commissioners. I think there have been enough cases lately where an incident happens and the officials get emails, letters, faxes and phone calls from all over the place that Pasco County may want to nip it in the bud. Remember the case of the Texas cop that pepper sprayed the baby squirrel on that middle school campus? Made national news.

[stosh2010]

256 signatures as of NOW...

[mpetys]

I see we are up to 302 signatures!!!! I heard that the reporter is going out to the site to do some more interviews! This is for the St. Petersburg Times and may run on Saturday.

I sent this to people on my email list and received a copy of an email that "Caroline" sent out. Caroline is a lady who has brought me three squirrels this year, including my sweet Tina. I thought that her plea to her friends to sign the petition was touching.

Hi e-mail friends,

I'm forwarding this e-mail to ask that you please sign the petition for my friend Michelle who is a wildlife rehabber. She took 3 orphaned squirrel babies that I had in my yard that were in distress. I hand fed baby Toby for several days until I found Michelle. Feeding this baby squirrel was one of the highlights of my life holding that little innocent and dependent baby squirrel in my hands. He wrapped his little paws around my finger as I was trying to get him to take the formula. The other 2 babies (Tina and Terri - yes they all had names) were a result of my trees being trimmed and the nest was disturbed and one of the babies fell out. Michelle has nurtured them back to health, only Tina will remain a permanent resident of her rehab facility because of the injury she suffered in the fall from the tree. It is important that we get the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to enforce and uphold the animal cruelty laws. Please read the petition. Thank you for being my friend and a friend to all God's creatures.

Caroline

I love the last line, "Thank you for being my friend and a friend to all God's creatures". If you were one of Caroline's friends, how could you not sign the petitiion when you see what her experience with Toby has meant to her? I'm so glad that Caroline and I have become friends. Another thing to thank squirrels for!

[Milo's Mom]

make that 303 signatures!

[mpetys]

make that 303 signatures!

Thank you MM. Just checked and we are up to 312. Signatures from Portugal, Sweden and France. Oh yeah, and one from Costa Rica.

[crazysquirrels]

And one from California.

[jo_schmoe]

341!!!!!!!

Can I get a "WHOOP WHOOP"

[stosh2010]

Thank you MM. Just checked and we are up to 312. Signatures from Portugal, Sweden and France. Oh yeah, and one from Costa Rica.
Must have been Rama Rota, I caught him dancing on my computer keyboard...

[stepnstone]

You can add 1 more with mine... :thumbsup

[Pepper]

Here is the article. I posted a few of my comments. The more you post the more the people do wake up in the area. Maybe that will turn some heads to those officers who did nothing. You would be surprised how sometimes when people voice their outrage locally, it turns things around and is given a second thought.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/two-pasco-neighbors-at-odds-over-feeding-shooting-squirrels/1194760

tinfoil

[Pepper]

Oh, and I also signed the Petition.:thumbsup

[mpetys]

Here is the article. I posted a few of my comments. The more you post the more the people do wake up in the area. Maybe that will turn some heads to those officers who did nothing. You would be surprised how sometimes when people voice their outrage locally, it turns things around and is given a second thought.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/two-pasco-neighbors-at-odds-over-feeding-shooting-squirrels/1194760

tinfoil

Thank you Pepper for posting this link. Yes, everyone, please post comments. I think you have to register to post but it doesn't cost anything. Usually when there is a story like this, you have all the idiots coming out of the woodwork not only defending the shooters position but ridiculing those of us that find a squirrels life worthy of saving. Also, if you do register and leave a comment, you can vote and give a thumbs down to every negative comment and a thumbs up to each supportive comment. I hate getting snookered into playing this game of "voting" but in this case, I think it is important to take a stand any way possible to show that there are some in the community who disagree with the haters and support the cause of just, humane treatment for all animals, even wildlife considered "nuisance".

I think it was last year that there was an article in one of our local papers about Karen Clark and her appeal for donations and volunteers. The article was beautifully written but when you got down to the comments, it was absolutely disgusting. I complained to the writer that in the old days, to write a letter to the editor you had to give your name and city. Now any idiot can hide behind an anonymous screen name and spew hate garbage. I told him I thought it demeaned the newspapers by not having the same high standards that print newspapers had. Of course, in the printed newspapers, there were not comments on each and every article.