Hauled to court, forced to pay £1,500 and branded a criminal...for drowning a grey squirrel

[ukaviator]

:eek::eek:

 

When a bird lover managed to trap one of the grey squirrels raiding his nut feeders, he decided that drowning would be the most humane way to dispose of it. What happened next landed Raymond Elliott with a bill for £1,500 and, even worse, a criminal record. A neighbour tipped off the RSPCA that he had submerged the animal in a water butt.

Mr Elliott, a 58-year-old window cleaner, insisted that the squirrel died 'almost instantaneously'.

 

However a vet said the process would have taken three minutes, so Mr Elliott was taken to court accused of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. The landmark case sets an important precedent for killing grey squirrels, which are classified as a non-native invasive species, and could pave the way for hundreds of other prosecutions across the country.

The RSPCA warned that many common methods of killing grey squirrels and other pests could now fall foul of the law, and said the only humane way to dispatch them would be to take them to a vet for a lethal injection - at a cost of up to £70. Mr Elliott, from Branston, Staffordshire, was prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

 

Read more: First case of it's kind: Man told to pay £1,500 after being found guilty of drowning a squirrel | Mail Online

[hilaryfrances]

Quite right too UK, you cant have people tampering with your nuts

[lexis200]

Whilst I don't agree with him being charged, doesn't everyone know that drowning is a horrific way to die??

 

If he was actually concerned with being humane then a hefty brick on the head would do it instantly (she said, realising she now sounds like a seasoned squirrel killer:D).

 

Anyway, make sure you stay away from his nut feeders UK! You'll only draw attention to yourself by being the only squirrel doing a dad-dance whilst having his dinner:D

[kiptower]

we missing something , he got away to post another day

 

ok I know get my hat n' coat

[HSBCrusher]

and said the only humane way to dispatch them would be to take them to a vet for a lethal injection - at a cost of up to £70.

what about rats?

[cymruambyth]

Squirrels are rats with tails.

[cymruambyth]

Sorry UK:oops:

[Mungypup]

My neighbours are pests. They pose a health risk to others as they are violent, verbally abusive, damage people's property frequently, they leave debris everywhere, on other people's property as well as their own, the back street, the front street, some of said rubbish is soiled nappies.

 

As we have established them as pests and a danger to others, do you think I'd be able to get away with giving them a quick whack over the head?

[locutus]

If it came down to the same issues, a £1500 fine would still probably be worth it as your property will rise by more than that!

[cymruambyth]

:lol::lol:

[Mungypup]

If it came down to the same issues, a £1500 fine would still probably be worth it as your property will rise by more than that!

 

Very, very true lol

[ukaviator]

Another Squirrel story:

 

White squirrels spotted in woodland -  UK News - MSN News UK

[postggj]

The Point Being Is This Chap Was Hauled Through The Legal Process,

Fine

Criminal Record

Dna Taken Etc

 

A Caution Would Be In Order On This

 

Welcome To

 

Her Brown/blair Uk

[ukaviator]

Firing squad would have been better:

 

[HSBCrusher]

Squirrels are rats with tails.

but rats do have tails.

 

so do these flying rats...

 

[cymruambyth]

Ok rats with long furry tails and yes that is a picture of a flying rat!

[BankFodder]

I think that waterboarding mimics the sensation of drowning but non-fatally.

maybe this would be enough to persuade the squirrel not to come back.

[kiptower]

oh dear marc you will hurt UK's feeling now

 

( ps give me a shout if you have a min)

[unbelievably angelic]

I think that waterboarding mimics the sensation of drowning but non-fatally.

maybe this would be enough to persuade the squirrel not to come back.

I find what he did slightly disgusting and horrifying.

But having watched road wars/cops in crisis or whatever it was on TV tonight and the guy who attempted to kill his wife by ramming the passenger side of his car at full speed into a railing, getting let off with attempted murder and being done for dangerous driving instead (points and a ban), I think the consequences for the squirrel basher are slightly over the top.

[lexis200]

I think that waterboarding mimics the sensation of drowning but non-fatally.

maybe this would be enough to persuade the squirrel not to come back.

 

:lol:

[babybear39]

Grey squirrels are rodents!

[hilaryfrances]

dont tell that to UK

[callumsgran]

I thought only Red Squirrels were 'protected'?

 

Aren't Grey Squirrels vermin?

 

 

I know, the squirrel had a diplomatic immunity didn't it?

 

Well they did originally come from USA didnt they?

[Guest Mrs Hobbit]

This bloody lunacy. You catch a squirrel, you dispose of it. You are not allowed to relocate it anywhere. it has to be put down. Now where are the instructions of how to dispose of the squirrel humanely. Will the RSPCA pick it up from you if you phone, not likely. Do you keep the squirrel captive until you can get to a Vet's?

 

Being branded a criminal is farcical. I would love to this on a TSA application into the States or elswewhere. " I drowned a squirrel. The law states it has to be put down."

 

I have respect for the RSPCA, but this makes it a laughing stock, the money spent investigating this case and bringing it to Court. No comparison to the toe rags who ran down my puppy deliberately and nothing done when complained to the police. RSPCA didn't want to know about it. Maybe prosecuting squirel executioners is easier.

 

If you catch a squirrel, let me know, I have some tasty recipes. No I promise it wont be boiled alive...possums are vermin in Middle Earth, tasty little critters when crumbed and fried.

[babybear39]

UK is a red squirrel isn't he?

 

I say deport all the greys back to the US at their exspence