NYFD's squirrel-shooting contest draws ire
HOLLEY, N.Y. (AP) - A weekend squirrel-shooting contest planned in upstate New York is drawing criticism.
State Sen. Tony Avella, of Queens, and animal-rights activists are among those urging the Holley Fire Department to call off its annual "squirrel slam" fundraiser, scheduled for Saturday.
The Humane Society's New York director, Brian Shapiro, has written a letter suggesting the fire department west of Rochester find an alternate way to raise money.
Neither the fire department nor members of its board of directors have returned telephone and email messages from The Associated Press.
A flier on the department's website promoting the contest lists a youth category for those 14 years old or younger. It also promotes a gun raffle and cash prizes for the largest squirrel and for the heaviest group of five squirrels.
State Sen. Tony Avella, of Queens, and animal-rights activists are among those urging the Holley Fire Department to call off its annual "squirrel slam" fundraiser, scheduled for Saturday.
The Humane Society's New York director, Brian Shapiro, has written a letter suggesting the fire department west of Rochester find an alternate way to raise money.
Neither the fire department nor members of its board of directors have returned telephone and email messages from The Associated Press.
A flier on the department's website promoting the contest lists a youth category for those 14 years old or younger. It also promotes a gun raffle and cash prizes for the largest squirrel and for the heaviest group of five squirrels.
I do not like them burying peanuts in my flower pots and I have heard they are good eating
Sounds like fun!
The animal rights activists don't think about the livestock that break their legs in the squirrel holes and have to be put down.
I know of several people who go on gopher "hunts" in S OR. No problem to me as they eliminate the cattle cripplening/ destruction of assets.
I have a fun photo of one squirl with all four feet in the air running along the telecom line. He and his friends have devastated the top of my fence.  Sometimes they imolate themselves and short out a transformer. Black outs are not fun...
Just a city slicker's opinion.
Listen up city folk. Â Squirrels are really cute and cuddly in the city parks and a lot of fun to watch. Â But, when in an rural environment, they're raiding and poopinig in your livestock feed and grain stores, multiplying out of control, and physically destroying property, they aren't so cute.