Hi, everyone! Its time for Smarty Sunday again! This time I wanted to share a news story about something that happened that just doesn't seem so smart. Who here likes squirrels? I don't particularly care for them. My species has been known to kill them and eat them. I have never tried that, myself... but they are fun to chase! However, I still can't understand what happened outside a middle school in Mesquite, Texas.
A baby squirrel, about the size of a hamster , was running around outside of a school and even chasing students. School staff members asked their police-officer-in-residence, Officer Davis, for help. When the baby squirrel ran towards the officer, the officer doused the squirrel with pepper spray. The children, who were watching, protested and begged the officer to stop, but he ignored them. One of the kids was recording the whole thing on his cell phone, and he later uploaded it to Youtube for all to see. Some kids showed the video to their parents, who went to a local TV station. Not only were the parents horrified to see that their children had watched a police officer pepper spray a baby squirrel, but the children also reported that, before getting the officer to intervene, the principal had kicked the squirrel!
Neither the principal nor the officer believe they did anything wrong. They say the squirrel was behaving "erratically" and might have been dangerous to students.
So... yeah.
You can read the story and see the video here, if you want.
You'll be glad to know that the baby squirrel was okay. The Animal Control people showed up, cleaned the pepper spray off of the little squirrel, and turned him loose into the wild.
Now, in case this ever happens to you, I did a little research to find out what would be the correct thing to do when attacked by a ferocious baby squirrel.
1. Walk away from the squirrel. Go inside or something.
2. If the squirrel continues to act strangely and doesn't leave, call Animal Control! They can humanely trap the squirrel and take care of it. If the squirrel is sick, or if it is a baby orphaned squirrel, it can sometimes be cared for at a wildlife rehabilitation center. (Rabid squirrels are really rare in the USA and almost unheard of.) If the squirrel is not sick, the Animal Control people will release it in a safe place.
3. Do not kick the squirrel, spray it with pepper spray, or otherwise endanger it.
What do you think, friends?
10 friendly visitors:
Well now... as much as I DISLIKE {{Shiver}} Squirrels... I would NEVER EVER hurt one. I don't think they did the right thingy at all.
Oh we love squirrels...to watch or chase :) How mean for the people to treat the squirrel that way! We're glad the little fella was ok and we'll sure remember your tips, Sammy-Joe.
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, and Hollie
Poor bebbeh squirrel! It looked like he just needed help or someone to be his friend. I'm glad he ended up okay.
things like that make me totally sick. First, I ADORE squirrels...right behind cats on my list of faves are dogs, squirrels and dolphins. This REALLY upsets me.
The squirrel was "behaving erratically?" Squirrels are naturally skittish, they have quick movements, are actually quite bright...this entire thing upsets me beyond belief!
Oh I don't like squirrels at all being a terrier, but I don't like what they did to that baby one, that's for sure.
Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar
We never thought a baby squirrel could be such a threat, they are so small and cute !
I love squirrels and think the behavior exhibited by the "adults" in question is reprehensible. Way to teach respect for all living things, guys.
Oh Sammy-Joe, we agree with you, theese wasn't smart at all. We can't believe how awful they were to theese poor baby squirrel. We all really like squirrels at my house. PS: Your Easter blog header is fabulous, we love it!
We like to chase squirrels sometimes, too, and they would probably be tasty if we ever caught one, but Mom would be horrified! She totally agrees with you that that was NOT nice or appropriate at ALL!
Hey, can we have some of those SMARTIES?
The Road Dogs
Oh! I was holding my breath until I read that the baby squirrel was alright. Uneducated Humans...
We never hurt the little annoying critters that come on our deck and look inside our family room an laugh in our faces. They are just too darn cuuuuute! We named one Matilda and she is a regular on our deck :o)
Thank you for posting this!
Smooches,
Neeko ♥
P.S. Pawsome Thanks for your very kind words about my Sis' passing.
Post a Comment