Louise Gray Squirrel
What is the law on killing squirrels? - Telegraph
By Louise Gray...
An air rifle can also be used as long as the user is properly qualified. Free shooting of squirrels is also generally accepted as long as the person has a licence and can guarantee a clean kill.
However the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals argue that most people will be incapable of killing a squirrel without causing “unnecessary suffering” and will therefore be in breach of the law. They recommend taking the animal to the vet to be put down for around £30 or calling in pest control experts who will shoot the animal or kill it with a blow to the head.
Bright little dark eyes, chubby cheeks and a sweet twitching nose, they are so cuddly, how could you possibly want to club a grey?
Comments
6ft open length of 4" drain pipe, about 18" in, slather some peanut butter, Lean against tree or fence where the bastards transit regulary.
Put the down end in a bucket of water.
Empty regularly until sqirrels cease to be found in water at bottom.
If a quick drowing seems inhumane, cap the down end, and have a cap for the top end. Omit bucket. Have plumbing to hook up to car exhaust.
Posted by: Fred2 | February 18, 2011 3:21 PM
"They recommend taking the animal to the vet to be put down for around £30 or calling in pest control experts who will shoot the animal or kill it with a blow to the head."
Egad, has the Society no compassion? This recommendation assumes you have the squirrel captive: if you have shot it with an "air rifle" and thus have it captive (i.e. still alive) the most "humane" action would be shooting again or clubbing or other immediate action, not using hours (or days, for animal control) to have someone else finish the job you started.
Posted by: John A | February 18, 2011 4:18 PM
'...Bright little dark eyes, chubby cheeks and a sweet twitching nose...'
I thought you were talking about the lovely Louise for a moment.
I wonder if her job description really does say 'fill up any blank spaces between adverts by cut'n'pasting from environutter press releases'?
Posted by: Phil D | February 18, 2011 5:09 PM
Rats with bushy tails. Kill with impunity.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | February 18, 2011 9:36 PM
"However the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals argue that most people will be incapable of killing a squirrel without causing “unnecessary suffering” and will therefore be in breach of the law. They recommend taking the animal to the vet to be put down for around £30 or calling in pest control experts who will shoot the animal or kill it with a blow to the head."
Hmm...
£30 for a vet or pay for pest control?
I'm tempted to wonder whether the RSPA is receiving funding from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and Rentokil.
Posted by: JJM | February 19, 2011 3:28 PM
@Fred2
Well done! Concise and of utility, bravo!
Posted by: observor | February 19, 2011 7:28 PM
With a decent air rifle and a scope you can plink tree rats pretty reliably 50 - 60 yards away. Anywhere in the head will kill instantly, and anywhere in the thorax or abdomen will do so quickly.
Posted by: David Gillies | February 22, 2011 4:44 PM