We caught the varmint .. now what ..

[Wolfefarmyard]

There is nothing more special about a domestic animal than a wild one than circumstance.

I never understood people who love dogs but hate, say, foxes or coyotes. Ultimately both animals experience the same feelings and emotions and deserve the same respect.

I agree, I don’t know about you, but I’m a vegetarian. Mainly because of this reason. I wouldn’t eat my dog, so why should I eat a pig, which are even smarter than dogs!

 

[Trux]

I would tie a rope on the trap and throw it in the ditch for about 5 minutes then dump them in the garbage- usually how I handle skunks. She will be back otherwise. If relocated she will find someone else's henhouse. Nature is tough, you have to be tougher.

Tougher? How about being smarter and more responsible! What you suggest is completely unacceptable

 

[WindingRoad]

Honestly I have a soft spot because I have rehabilitated several opossums through wildlife rehabilitation. Even if I knew one individual was going after my coop, I would probably remove it with a live trap and take it to the middle of a wildlife preserve and let it go. I have rehabilitated many wild animals and that's what I always do. I don't really care if it's legal to do so or not. Nobody's business if I want to dump an opossum out in the middle of the woods where it actually belongs. Nobody is ever going to prosecute you on something so petty.

The reason they're going after our livestock is because we're diminishing their natural habitats, so I feel personally responsible for the welfare of wildlife no matter how inconvenient it might be to me. It's not their fault they're hungry and desperate - it's partially ours (as a species).

Honestly I have a soft spot because I have rehabilitated several opossums through wildlife rehabilitation. Even if I knew one individual was going after my coop, I would probably remove it with a live trap and take it to the middle of a wildlife preserve and let it go. I have rehabilitated many wild animals and that's what I always do. I don't really care if it's legal to do so or not. Nobody's business if I want to dump an opossum out in the middle of the woods where it actually belongs. Nobody is ever going to prosecute you on something so petty.

The reason they're going after our livestock is because we're diminishing their natural habitats, so I feel personally responsible for the welfare of wildlife no matter how inconvenient it might be to me. It's not their fault they're hungry and desperate - it's partially ours (as a species).

We had a 150 acres of land when I was a teenager. I don't think we were encroaching on the wildlife. And we still had raccoons and skunks.

 

[WindingRoad]

Really, "just animals after all"! Pretty cold and heartless statement!

When one of them bites you or your child and you contract rabies will you feel the same way.

 

[Trux]

When one of them bites you or your child and you contract rabies will you feel the same way.

Question: Do opossums carry rabies?

Answer: Any mammal can get rabies. However, the chance of rabies in an opossum is EXTREMELY RARE. This may have something to do with the opossum’s low body temperature (94-97º F) making it difficult for the virus to survive in an opossum’s body.

 

[Fishkeeper]

And you and your child shouldn't be handling wild animals anyway, regardless of if it's a species likely to carry rabies!

 

[ChickenThunderdome]

Possum gonna Possum
Seems to be the general consensus.

But I ask if a wolf were attacking a heard of sheep would people feel the same?
As an owner of domesticated animals its our job to see they are safe and defended. Sometimes hard choices have to be made.. Hate to say it but at 2 miles I can almost guarantee she'll be back so next time hopefully she can't get in there, hopefully next time she's without kids as well so you can make the RIGHT choice(my opinion) that insures she's not attacking the chickens babies.

 

[WindingRoad]

And you and your child shouldn't be handling wild animals anyway, regardless of if it's a species likely to carry rabies!

Some times you don't have to handle them to get rabies. A mother and her child were attacked here recently in Maine. Both now are being treated for rabies. It was a fox if I remember correctly.

 

[Peppercorngal]

We couldn't kill her .. let her go a couple miles from the house.

That's good. You did what you feel is the right thing, no problem with that. I'm sure you're working on that area where she got in and it won't happen again! Until the next possum moves into that range! But you will be secure at that point. Good luck with new chickens!

 

[Tortoise]

When one of them bites you or your child and you contract rabies will you feel the same way.

I really wouldnt be so stupid to let one bite me or my son. Btw hes 22 so not much of a baby. But anyway. Animals are not "just animals". They are very important. Humans on the other hand!