Date
November 29, 2006
Contact
Alfredo Kuba
(650) 965-8705
Elliot M. Katz, DVM
(415) 388-9641, ext. 225
In Defense of Animals
3010 Kerner Blvd
San Rafael
CA 94901
IDA is an international, California-based animal advocacy organization dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by defending their rights, welfare and habitats.
In Defense of Animals Blasts City of Mountain View for Killing Tree Squirrels with Poisoned Bait
Mountain View, Calif.—In Defense of Animals (IDA) is blasting the city of Mountain View, which recently agreed to consider humane alternatives to killing tree squirrels in Cuesta Park, for poisoning ground squirrels along the trails of Shoreline Park. According to rangers at the park, the squirrels are being exterminated because they dig burrows and the City is concerned that the burrows will cause the levees along the trails to collapse.
Baited traps have been set out and, after the squirrels eat the poisoned food, they die a slow and painful death. The traps are set up so that the poisoned food is unintentionally exposed to other animals who may find it inviting and safe to eat. Animals who prey on the dead squirrels can also be fatally poisoned by the remains.
“So many of the levees at the park are built solidly, out of rock,” said Alfredo Kuba of In Defense of Animals-Silicon Valley. “Rather than rebuild the weaker levees, which would be pragmatic but cost more money, the city is poisoning the squirrels out of economic convenience.”
When planning to eradicate the tree squirrels in Cuesta Park last month, hundreds of letters, phone calls and e-mails from animal advocates and concerned citizens poured in, convincing city officials to find a humane solution to the issue. Due to a successful community education effort – one that included declaring a no-food zone around the children’s play area, implementation of a “do not feed the squirrels” policy and increased park ranger patrols – the Mountain View Community Services Department was convinced to disable the traps they had placed in the park’s trees.
“We’re asking for the same consideration – the implementation of humane alternatives – for the ground squirrels of Shoreline Park,” says Kuba.
In Defense of Animals is asking compassionate citizens to contact the Mountain View City Council and ask them to reconsider their position and stop the poisoning.