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Silkielover - you're absolutely right. No one "has" to kill a predator. But I think people need to think about why they're releasing instead of killing them. Especially when they know that it's not in the animal's best interest. It's not pleasant to kill something. It's no fun having to deal with a dead animal. It's so much easier to just let it go and not have to do the dirty work ourselves. Not ALL relocated animals are killed, obviously. But what about those who do starve to death, or get eaten by something else, or are constantly run off by the already established animals of their own species? How is that kinder than instant death by a bullet to the head? Raccoons can be "pretty cute", but have you ever seen a snarling, growling, barking, teeth-baring one after your dog? Have you ever cleaned up your coop after an attack on your birds? I'm not trying to be snarky here, so my apologies right now if I'm coming across that way.
Exactly right. I don't have to tell my children I love them, inform a cashier if they've given me too much change, take my neighbor a meal when he was sick, but it's the right thing to do. You're exactly right. No one "has" to do the right thing, but does that mean they shouldn't?
ETA: In case it wasn't clear, I'm agreeing with you, bobbi-j. Not you though, silkielover (regarding relocation, although I'm all for improving your coop with lighting, netting, etc. - that's my preferred choice for dealing with predators instead of trapping and killing).
Silkielover - you're absolutely right. No one "has" to kill a predator. But I think people need to think about why they're releasing instead of killing them. Especially when they know that it's not in the animal's best interest. It's not pleasant to kill something. It's no fun having to deal with a dead animal. It's so much easier to just let it go and not have to do the dirty work ourselves. Not ALL relocated animals are killed, obviously. But what about those who do starve to death, or get eaten by something else, or are constantly run off by the already established animals of their own species? How is that kinder than instant death by a bullet to the head? Raccoons can be "pretty cute", but have you ever seen a snarling, growling, barking, teeth-baring one after your dog? Have you ever cleaned up your coop after an attack on your birds? I'm not trying to be snarky here, so my apologies right now if I'm coming across that way.
Exactly right. I don't have to tell my children I love them, inform a cashier if they've given me too much change, take my neighbor a meal when he was sick, but it's the right thing to do. You're exactly right. No one "has" to do the right thing, but does that mean they shouldn't?
ETA: In case it wasn't clear, I'm agreeing with you, bobbi-j. Not you though, silkielover (regarding relocation, although I'm all for improving your coop with lighting, netting, etc. - that's my preferred choice for dealing with predators instead of trapping and killing).
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