Why is it illegal to have, release etc. squirrels in some states?

[riefderrico]

I have looked online for close to an hour now, also briefly searched TSB and cannot find the answer - so forgive me if this question has been answered elsewhere. But why is it illegal to own, release, rehab a squirrel in all but a handful of states? Most of the states I read consider them game and that is the reason given - so I'm not thinking this has to do with the animals well being. Anyone have a better answer?

[farrelli]

As far as I know, it's to avoid mistreatment by idiots. Sqs make bad pets and require special care. So many think they're cute and want one and have no idea what they're getting into or how to care for them. I mean, look at the endless line of people who come here who have killed or almost killed their sq with improper care or who now want to dump their sq on someone else because they've proven to be too much. And this is WITH the laws in place which discourage ownership.

[SammysMom]

I also think it is because they bite and hurt humans. The government wouldn't give 2 craps about the animals or they wouldn't be okay to use for target practice. More worried that "little Johnny" might get bitten when he mauls the wild animal they are holding captive.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

What I've read, it is because of an old and incorrect assumption that squirrels used to carry rabies because it's a wild animal. The last case of squirrel that had rabies was in "Theerteen hundered n six" (Source ,Dum Dum Magizine,May 1509 Issue) :grin2

[BigNibbler]

I believe it has more of a foundation in the fact that wildlife is meant to be enjoyed by all... everyone.
If one could own such animals, then eventually they would become valuable to trade and then vendors would try to monopolize them for profit and they may not be available for the public to just enjoy.

In addition or perhaps more significantly it would impact on the environment.
There is a balance between all the living things. And adding or removing one, affects many others.

Furthermore, there is a practical concern that if wild animals get friendly with and trusting of humans, all kinds of problems might occur. For example, your little niece is walking in a park and a squirrel jumps, digs his claws in to her and aggressively tries to check all her fingers because he was used to finding foods in other fingers attached to other beings that look just like her to him. She moves and he bites her and could bite her bad, cause he gets scared. He could also be seriously injured if she flails at him or hurls him off.

Just releasing animals, which are in poor malnourished and weak condition, will attract other animals that are natural predators.

Many reasons.
I am sure I left some out, as well as it is a way of raising some revenue in some states.

[stepnstone]

I have looked online for close to an hour now, also briefly searched TSB and cannot find the answer - so forgive me if this question has been answered elsewhere. But why is it illegal to own, release, rehab a squirrel in all but a handful of states? Most of the states I read consider them game and that is the reason given - so I'm not thinking this has to do with the animals well being. Anyone have a better answer?

Different States have their own rules and regulations regarding all wildlife as well as their own "reasoning" as to why it is illegal to possess wildlife. Some reasoning can be for the animals benefit of keeping the natural order of wildlife in nature as it should be while another can lean toward eliminating physical injury or transmission of zoonotic diseases. Some of the reasoning's between States are just plain stupid and ignorant. As you have already discovered with some States squirrels in particular are simply considered game and controlled as such and in too many cases squirrels are just considered a nuisance animal, controlled and eliminated as such.
I can't say it's this States stance on the subject but the best explanation I have read regarding not keeping wildlife as pets comes from the organisation Paws out of Washington State which reads:

"Wild animals have evolved over the course of millions of years as independent, free-living beings. They have needs, instincts and behaviors that are inseparably tied both to their appropriate habitat, and to a free-living state. It is inappropriate and inhumane to force a wild animal to live the captive life of a pet.No matter how well designed a captive habitat may be, it can never replicate the freedom that wild animals require to be complete beings. Wild animals belong in the wild."

[SammysMom]

Of all of it i guess the worry is also about introducing illness into another group of the same species that doesnt have the same immunities due to not having heen exposed to the same bacteria or viruses.
We must remember that this sort of law is generally made to protect stupid people from hurting themselves and others. :shakehead

[Annabelle's papa]

Everyone here has been exactly right.:thumbsup www.animallaw.info/article/detailed-discussion-exotic-pet-laws This site covers imported and localized wildlife.:great

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

Strange. I cant' tell you how many 100's and 100's of children and old men or women that have been mauled to death by Pit Bulls. I've never heard of anyone being killed by a squirrel or a deer. juz sayin yo

[stepnstone]

Strange. I cant' tell you how many 100's and 100's of children and old men or women that have been mauled to death by Pit Bulls. I've never heard of anyone being killed by a squirrel or a deer. juz sayin yo

I understand the point your trying to make but just for the record there have been
cases of people being stomped and killed by deer, especially during rut. Never have
heard anyone being killed by a squirrel but I do know from personal experience they
definitely know how to open up a can of whoop azz when they set their mind to it. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/yellow-laughing-smiley-emoticon.gif

[BigNibbler]

What I've read, it is because of an old and incorrect assumption that squirrels used to carry rabies because it's a wild animal. The last case of squirrel that had rabies was in "Theerteen hundered n six" (Source ,Dum Dum Magizine,May 1509 Issue) :grin2

History are the lies we agree to believe - perhaps a human bit the squirrel !

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

I understand the point your trying to make but just for the record there have been
cases of people being stomped and killed by deer, especially during rut. Never have
heard anyone being killed by a squirrel but I do know from personal experience they
definitely know how to open up a can of whoop azz when they set their mind to it. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/yellow-laughing-smiley-emoticon.gif


" there have been
cases of people being stomped and killed by deer, especially during rut."

I hear of that also,but i was just thinking proportionately the attacks would be less. And i agree as well about being a victim of a squirrels foul mood. yeeouch!

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

History are the lies we agree to believe - perhaps a human bit the squirrel !

"perhaps a human bit the squirrel"

That's probably more closer to the truth. :clap

[riefderrico]

Thanks everyone!

I can certainly understand if it is for the benefit of the animals. It was just upsetting to me that most of the DNR and Wildlife material I was reading was so callous with no compassion for the animals. (I'm readying myself for taking the licensure test) Most of the DNR sites were very hunting oriented and the info about their behavior and habitat was geared more towards strategy for the "season" than protecting their (our) environment. And this was for all the animals listed not just squirrels. The amount of squirrels "bagged" in my state was just staggering to me and really upset me with general public. I was not raised in a home where hunting was the norm. I have had compassion and respect for all animals my entire life, caring for a long list since I was about 8 or 9. As our food supply gets more tainted everyday I have become more understanding about the hunt for food. But hunting for sport still gets my hair all up and (sorry if this offends) any man (or woman) who hunts small (or large) animals for sport is about as cowardly and uncompassionate as they come in my book. As a mother of 4 grown children teaching a child to hunt for sport I just smh. (Rant over :tap )

[island rehabber]

Firs of all, Congratulations riefderrico for going for your rehabber's license! The need is great and the ranks are so thin.....I don't know where you live, but I say this because here in the five boroughs of NYC, 18million people and probably 10million squirrels, there are THREE of us who take in baby squirrels. :shakehead Nature needs you!

I am very very cynical when it comes to wildlife laws. I would love to think that they exist to protect wildlife from illegal capture by the general public, or from over-hunting, or whatever, but they don't. Quite the contrary. Many states get lots of revenue from the sale of hunting licenses and permits and they don't want to lose that because WE make everyone think squirrels are warm, fuzzy, wonderful critters. Which of course they are. The theory, as farrelli stated, that the laws might be there to protect wildlife from idiot humans is, in my opinion, just a by-product. I WISH it were true, but I don't think so. However if we did not have these laws you'd have every jerk and their kids in town kidnapping baby squirrels who fall from the nest, feeding them garbage and either losing them at 7wks old or losing them after a long, slow death from MBD. Sorry for the melodrama, but after many years on this Board you learn that's how it often goes. Luckily, out of the general public there sometimes comes a person like you, and me and everyone here who has answered your post: we started to LEARN about squirrels and now we want to legally be able to rescue, raise and release them back to nature. If only there were more of us. :tilt

[stepnstone]

Firs of all, Congratulations riefderrico for going for your rehabber's license! The need is great and the ranks are so thin.....I don't know where you live, but I say this because here in the five boroughs of NYC, 18million people and probably 10million squirrels, there are THREE of us who take in baby squirrels. :shakehead Nature needs you!

I am very very cynical when it comes to wildlife laws. I would love to think that they exist to protect wildlife from illegal capture by the general public, or from over-hunting, or whatever, but they don't. Quite the contrary. Many states get lots of revenue from the sale of hunting licenses and permits and they don't want to lose that because WE make everyone think squirrels are warm, fuzzy, wonderful critters. Which of course they are. The theory, as farrelli stated, that the laws might be there to protect wildlife from idiot humans is, in my opinion, just a by-product. I WISH it were true, but I don't think so. However if we did not have these laws you'd have every jerk and their kids in town kidnapping baby squirrels who fall from the nest, feeding them garbage and either losing them at 7wks old or losing them after a long, slow death from MBD. Sorry for the melodrama, but after many years on this Board you learn that's how it often goes. Luckily, out of the general public there sometimes comes a person like you, and me and everyone here who has answered your post: we started to LEARN about squirrels and now we want to legally be able to rescue, raise and release them back to nature. If only there were more of us. :tilt


http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/yes/yes-i-fully-agree-smiley-emoticon.gif :goodpost

[Duckman]

Firs of all, Congratulations riefderrico for going for your rehabber's license! The need is great and the ranks are so thin.....I don't know where you live, but I say this because here in the five boroughs of NYC, 18million people and probably 10million squirrels, there are THREE of us who take in baby squirrels. :shakehead Nature needs you!

I am very very cynical when it comes to wildlife laws. I would love to think that they exist to protect wildlife from illegal capture by the general public, or from over-hunting, or whatever, but they don't. Quite the contrary. Many states get lots of revenue from the sale of hunting licenses and permits and they don't want to lose that because WE make everyone think squirrels are warm, fuzzy, wonderful critters. Which of course they are. The theory, as farrelli stated, that the laws might be there to protect wildlife from idiot humans is, in my opinion, just a by-product. I WISH it were true, but I don't think so. However if we did not have these laws you'd have every jerk and their kids in town kidnapping baby squirrels who fall from the nest, feeding them garbage and either losing them at 7wks old or losing them after a long, slow death from MBD. Sorry for the melodrama, but after many years on this Board you learn that's how it often goes. Luckily, out of the general public there sometimes comes a person like you, and me and everyone here who has answered your post: we started to LEARN about squirrels and now we want to legally be able to rescue, raise and release them back to nature. If only there were more of us. :tilt



:goodpost:bowdown:attention:bowdown:goodpost

[Bravo]

Great post, IR.

As much as I wish squirrels were legal, I have to agree that it might be better this way. I think of rabbits- as "legal pets"- and the horrendous number of them that are released- "because they can live anywhere on grass, right?"- when they are no longer a cute 'n' fluffy novelty in the house. Granted they breed on a much different scale than squirrels, but the rationale for cutting them loose is much the same, and it's a real problem in our area.

[SammysMom]

:goodpost

[pjjere]

I just googled "is it legal to have a squirrel in SC" and this interesting article popped up. I had always thought it was not legal here but according to this article a DNR spokesman disagrees. (Not that I care too much but it is nice to know).

http://articles.mcall.com/2003-05-14/news/3471842_1_squirrel-gosselins-game-commission

[stepnstone]

I just googled "is it legal to have a squirrel in SC" and this interesting article popped up. I had always thought it was not legal here but according to this article a DNR spokesman disagrees. (Not that I care too much but it is nice to know).

http://articles.mcall.com/2003-05-14/news/3471842_1_squirrel-gosselins-game-commission

Different States have different laws regarding squirrels and different laws regarding the species of squirrel one can possess. What I find interesting is they took this squirrel across State lines which is generally a real no when it comes to the transference of wild life across State lines. Be interesting to see how this case turns out, Pa is pretty hard nosed. At least they have no squirrel to confiscate. I doubt very seriously that it "ran away" but it's best it stay that way.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Step, the case was from 2003 and apparently the couple won the case in 2005 and were allowed to keep the squirrel in Pennsylvania. I'm actually surprised that they won with the interstate transfer of the squirrel but it seems they did. :thumbsup I can't even imagine what these people spent in legal fees. :klunk

APO 11/10 0738 Pa. Squirrel Allowed to Live With Couple

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Nutkin the Squirrel can live out her later years
hunting nuts indoors with a Pennsylvania couple, a court has ruled.
The gray squirrel, which was born in South Carolina where there are no rules
against domesticating wild squirrels, may be kept by a Schuylkill County couple
despite state laws that prohibit keeping wild animals as pets, a Superior Court
panel ruled Friday.
Senior Judge Joseph Hudock, in an 11-page opinion, had fun recounting
Nutkin's early years ("Then one day tragedy struck: Nutkin fell from her tree
nest!") and relocation from South Carolina to Pennsylvania in 1994 ("Dark clouds
began to gather.")
Nutkin's owner Barbara Gosselin was charged in 2002 with violating the ban on
keeping wild animals after a game officer came across Nutkin while investigating
a case of deer poaching.
"The Game Officer acknowledged that the squirrel was too old and too tame to
be released in the wild," wrote Hudock, comparing the furry rodent's condition
to "an old appellate judge, like the undersigned, attempting to return to the
boiling cauldron of the trial court after being tamed by years of peace and
quiet above the fray."
Gosselin's conviction was overturned and the judges ordered that her $100
fine and costs be returned.
"We're very happy," said her husband, Jean. "We've been fighting this for two
weeks short of two years."

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

"an old appellate judge, like the undersigned, attempting to return to the
boiling cauldron of the trial court after being tamed by years of peace and
quiet above the fray." One of the Funniest things i ever heard!! :D

[island rehabber]

And that story, of poor little Nutkin and her horrendous trials, is why we always say that squirrels are illegal in many states, but NO state is more squirrel-hating and evil about it than Pennsylvania. :shakehead The whole account of Nutkin and her parents, not included above, describes how Nutkin was taken from them and sequestered for years, I believe, until the legal proceedings finally concluded. What horrible stress for a little elderly squirrel!

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

Baffles the mind to me how you can't comfort and treat an animal with dignity and respect,, and if you do so,, you will be fined and punished. But it's perfectly ok to shoot and kill, eat, and basically torture a species because it's the LAAWWW, OF THE WEST!!

[Annabelle's papa]

And that story, of poor little Nutkin and her horrendous trials, is why we always say that squirrels are illegal in many states, but NO state is more squirrel-hating and evil about it than Pennsylvania. :shakehead

Hi IR, I'm sure there aren't any more Judge Hudock's left on the bench up there either. :shakehead

[Annabelle's papa]

Baffles the mind to me how you can't comfort and treat an animal with dignity and respect,, and if you do so,, you will be fined and punished. But it's perfectly ok to shoot and kill, eat, and basically torture a species because it's the LAAWWW, OF THE WEST!!
Amen HLS.:sadness

[stepnstone]

Step, the case was from 2003 and apparently the couple won the case in 2005 and were allowed to keep the squirrel in Pennsylvania. I'm actually surprised that they won with the interstate transfer of the squirrel but it seems they did. :thumbsup I can't even imagine what these people spent in legal fees. :klunk

Thanks, something about this did sound familiar. Still surprised they got one over Pa and
like you the interstate transfer. I too bet their legal fees were over the top.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

HEE HAWRE!!

[Annabelle's papa]

:laugh2

[riefderrico]

Thank you IR! Will certainly let you guys know when I have it for sure :grin3

Between these state laws, what is happening overseas and the darned squirrel hunt up north - I do not have too much for "humanity" at the moment. I suppose all we can do is what we do. And it is our obligation to share and educate those around us. That is all we can do. If we are able to each touch just one life, it is a start. Teaching by example it vital.

Last year we changed our landscape to edible/bird/bee/butterfly friendly - kept the back natural and feed the wildlife. It turned out surprisingly beautiful. This year our HOA built a FB page. I shared a few things about edibles and now have about 9-10 other homeowners wanting info and starting their own little gardens. We are going to meet once a month and several ladies want to take a tour of our yard when we finish planting this year to see what is possible. Now that I know what grows and what doesn't, the harvest will be much larger and I plan to put out the excess on the weekends to share with the neighbors. Just by doing it and sharing about victory gardens and edible neighborhoods in the UK on a FB page got 9 or 10 others interested. Next year it will be more. I know it is slow but if we all just keep doing what we do and share with others who are interested we can effect change. It may be slow, but at least it is heading in the right direction.

I'd like to share this video with you all and invite you to share with you FB friends and family. It is a 4 min documentary about how the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone changed the entire ecosystem. When I saw it all I could say was WOW, this is how mother nature works - her plan is the perfect one. :grouphug http://youtu.be/ysa5OBhXz-Q

[Annabelle's papa]

:thumbsup Very Well Put riefderrico, Especially the"Humanity" part.:shakehead I think the ASPCA, and peta among all of the other Animal Rights Groups, have learned that the Rights of Animals are Minimal, if not not Non Existent at all among some People. :tap And what You are doing through Your HOA is very Admirable, this kind of a Proactive, Grass Roots form of Patriotism built this Country. :Flag And Victory Gardens were a Necessity during Many Different periods of Time, in our Nations History. And ten or so People doing something Positive, is a Great Start to Any Worthwhile Endeavor.:grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

Here's THREE good reasons why there are laws.
Oh, and a little follow up, all three of these babies died! :(

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?49180-new-baby-mix-with-older&highlight=

[roxy]

Baffles the mind to me how you can't comfort and treat an animal with dignity and respect,, and if you do so,, you will be fined and punished. But it's perfectly ok to shoot and kill, eat, and basically torture a species because it's the LAAWWW, OF THE WEST!!

Couldn't agree more!...what's even more mind blowing are the squirrel hunts for profit that they allow... like the one in Holley, New York.:skwredup

[stepnstone]

Here's THREE good reasons why there are laws.
Oh, and a little follow up, all three of these babies died! :(

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?49180-new-baby-mix-with-older&highlight=

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/hand-gestures/dont-know-smiley-emoticon.gif Perfect example...
How tragic and unnecessary for these babies
to have suffered and lost their lives...

[island rehabber]

Gah, I didn't realize that they all had died, although I'm not the least bit surprised......


Originally Posted by Sunnysmama http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1077208#post1077208) I am so sad to say that the three little ones did'nt make it...my neighbors two, one got very bloated, the other he said seemed to be doing well, so he didnt know what happened, and mine...i had her on some blankets with a heating pad under, and im guessing something went wrong with the pad, because it was on the same setting as allways, but i went to give her her two hour feeding and she was extremely hot! I was sooo upset, but she was still alive,so i thought she would be ok, but she did die a few hours later. I feel so bad about it, but i do feel good that we did at least to reunite wirh the mother.

But they NEVER tried getting them to a REHABBER or experienced person, as we pleaded with them to do, and so they killed the babies with the two most common ways people kill baby squirrels. And they ask me why I really can't stand people outside of my BF and this Board......
:hissyfit:pissed:bash

[stepnstone]

Gah, I didn't realize that they all had died, although I'm not the least bit surprised......



But they NEVER tried getting them to a REHABBER or experienced person, as we pleaded with them to do, and so they killed the babies with the two most common ways people kill baby squirrels. And they ask me why I really can't stand people outside of my BF and this Board......
:hissyfit:pissed:bash

They never tried reuniting with the mother either who watched them take her babies away...


well he is keeping two, and im keeping the other one. About leaving them out in the morning, we have a lot of cats in the neighborhood, which is why they took them away when they first saw it fall, they said they saw the mother, but there were three cats at the bottom of the tree, so she didnt come down.

They could have chased the cats off and given the mother a chance but no! This wasn't about what was best for the babies, this was all about them...


Also i have been so excited that i hadnt stopped to think about the poor mama squirrel, all her babies and the whole nest is gone, and its really cold outside. It breaks my heart, but her babies will be very well taken care of.

Really??

[Dekota]

How many states have a law that says " if a animal isn't releasable in 180 days " it is to be killed? And you are not permitted to keep any wildlife at home for a short time without a license.

It seems that some of you talk about having rehab squirrels for a longer period of time than that. I am just curious, as this is a law in Washington state.

And a 1000 volunteer hrs are needed before you can take the test to be a rehaber in WA.

Thanks for listening :Squirrel

[missPixy]

I know in Rhode Island, that is the law. so the official Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of RI clinic, upon receiving a "non-releasable" baby squirrel, will euthanize him or her. Dental problems, as an example. Drives me insane. :pissed :madd

[gardenjewel]

In answer to here's 3 good reasons why there are laws

Laws dont and will never ever ever stop this type of thing from happening. Laws do make it harder for knowlegeable people to rehab raise and release and to share that knowlege with people like this and other people that want to help. My state recommends you leave orphaned or injured wildlife to die...cooked by the sun, eaten by ants mauled by cats or stepped on by passing uncaring humans. Laws also mean no vet care for babies like these no exchange of information ( this amazing website is the exception) and its very difficult to get a permit to do anything legally. The rehabbers in my state are always full and unable to take animals and my state discourages rehabbing of any kind. It seems to me that the kind of laws most states have now only lead to mass killing of wildlife. Finally if you do find babies like these, are lucky enough to get good info, raise them up right, and the state finds out about it.....they kill them. I dont advocate the absence of laws, but we need better laws.


Love the wolf video...

[rottilvr79]

"My state recommends you leave orphaned or injured wildlife to die"

That's the official opinion in my state too. According to a friend who works with our local animal control, it's illegal to have possession of any native wildlife here, with the exception of wild caught snakes. So, it's illegal to have a squirrel or opossum, but perfectly fine to have a rattle snake. Makes perfect sense to me. :shakehead He did also say that he personally doesn't really care, unless someone is reported then he would have to contact state Fish & Game.

[Rocky1]

OP,

I am also interested in researching this topic, obtaining copies of laws regarding keeping squirrels, and eventually forming groups to rewrite old laws and convince congress to vote to pass the new law. The good news seems to be that the old law is based on ignorance which can be proven wrong with expert testimony. If a better law is drafted and enough caring informed people meet with their senators and representatives, we can begin to change things, I believe.