Way Too Much Govt: Woman Cited By NJ For Saving Baby Squirrels
Via @Overlawyered, there's a story at NJ.com by Paul Milo about a woman who did what probably at least some reading here have done or have had their parents do for hurt or orphaned animals:
A woman who nurtured two newborn squirrels separated from their mother said she was acting out of kindness. But state wildlife officials say she was also breaking the law.Maria Vaccarella came to the aid of a squirrel that had fallen out of a tree last year and then, unexpectedly, gave birth, WPVI 6 in Philadelphia reported. Vacacarella said she left the two outside in a cage for a day and when the mother failed to return, she brought them inside, bottle-feeding them and caring for them for four months after registered wildlife rehabilitators told her they could not take them in. Vaccarella named them "George and Lola."
In October, the Division of Fish and Wildlife contacted her after seeing posts on social media of her and the animals and seized them. Bob Considine, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokesman, said the agency was contacted about the social media posts by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The state was then obligated to follow up on the reported infraction, Considine said.
Shortly after, she received a $500 ticket charging her with "keeping captive game animals," UPI reported.
Vaccarella may also face a fine of as little as $100 or no fine at all if she is a first-time offender and pleads guilty, Considine said.
You're instead supposed to turn injured or orphaned wildlife to a "certified wildlife rehabilitator."
Yes, all it takes to care for baby squirrels you find in your backyard is meeting the licensing requirements (which, as those of you who read here know are a way to protect the income of those who already have licenses).
• One year minimum apprenticeship (see Apprenticeship definition below) with a New Jersey rehabilitator which shall begin upon submission of the apprentice's name, address, telephone number and start date by the sponsoring rehabilitator in writing to the Division within 30 days of their official start date, or as listed on the rehabilitator's annual report when submitted to the Division prior to start of apprenticeship.• One letter of recommendation from the sponsoring rehabilitator which details the understanding and proficiency of the apprentice in the following areas [which I won't list, but there are a slew of them at the link].
• Completion of initial rehabilitation permit application.
• Letter of commitment from a veterinarian willing to work with applying rehabilitator.
• Approval of an on-site inspection including proper caging and facility standards
• Secure applicable permits from United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for avian species.
• Completion and submission of the Annual Report and Renewal Form along with required Documentation, when renewing the rehabilitation permit.
Meanwhile, note from the article that the woman tried to get one of these wonderful licensed wildlife rehab people to take the squirrels in, but they refused.
So...to be all cool under the law, she was supposed to just leave the little buggers out to die? Or New Jersey would go all Squirrel Inspector Javert on her?
Lovely.
Oh dear, I'm a law breaker too. I raised a baby squirrel when I was in my teens (I'm 51 now, so, statute of limitations, baby!). I dare anyone to deny the sweet face of those adorababies the care that they need. Hopefully common sense will prevail and the jack-booted thugs that want to punish this good samaritan will get slapped down by someone higher up that understands that you cannot deny the fuzzy little ones, unless you are a heartless bastard.
Kat at January 21, 2016 5:45 AM
Why would we be surprised by this? As we allow the state to 'license' more and more of the activities of everyday life, why would we be surprised when those who have obtained the state's 'license' to do this-or-that demand that the state use its new powers to punish those who do not have the 'license'. I firmly believe that 50% or more of the regulatory enforcement activities carried out by most local authorities are nothing more than the 'licensed' trying to suppress the 'licensed'. The latest and best example would be the irrational, borderline-hysterical efforts to suppress Uber, but there's a 100 other examples. 'Licensed' practitioners of this-or-that activity support the budgets of state agencies through licensing fees, and support politicians with campaign contributions, whereas the 'unlicensed' do not. It's little more than a monopoly racket, with the added joy that it is supported by the state monopoly on the use of force.
llater,
llamas
llamas at January 21, 2016 5:49 AM
We are heading for revolution. It won't be in my lifetime, probably, but what we've allowed to happen to our government (what many have WANTED to happen to it) simply can't last.
momof4 at January 21, 2016 6:03 AM
Okay, you asked for this.
Make the distinction, in law, between the squirrel and a hundred other species, just because you think the squirrel is cute and doesn't harbor zoonotic diseases.
Did you know that the prairie dog population around Boulder, CO, harbors yirsinia pestis - the Plague?
Gonna do this?
--------
"Prevention:
Avoid contact with sick or dead animals, especially rodents.
Avoid contact with the nests and burrows of rodents, squirrels, chipmunks, and prairie dogs.
If living in areas where rodent plague occurs, use monthly topical or oral flea prevention for dogs and cats. Refrain from allowing pets to roam freely.
If exposure to rodent fleas is anticipated, apply insect repellent containing DEET (diethyltoluamide) to the skin.
Wear gloves when handling infected or dead animals."
--------
Or are you going to take the obviously suffering but cute creature into your home - maybe even to school for the other kids to handle?
Did you notice that contacts between humans and a helpless animal often involves some sort of disease of the animal? Can you tell what's wrong with the critter, and do you apply sterile techniques before you find out?
You probably didn't, can't and won't - and that's what the regulations and laws are written for.
Gee, Kat got away with it - and now applies a fallacy to argue, essentially, that anyone should take in any wildlife they fancy to "save" it. Nope.
Radwaste at January 21, 2016 6:49 AM
Maybe it's different in Jersey, but in a lot of the Southeast, squirrels are regarded as pests. They get in attics where they pee and crap and chew up wiring and plastic plumbing. House fires have been started by squirrels chewing through wiring insulation. They kill birds (much more so than cats do), and they destroy bird feeders. And if you have a pecan tree and you don't make an effort to keep the squirrels out, they will strip it.
Cousin Dave at January 21, 2016 6:59 AM
Trying to work up sympathy...trying...trying...
Nope, not working. She's from Jersey, right? she probably wants bigger government.
As an individual, one does not get to pick what bigger government looks like. This is what the bigger government looks like, and its boot? will be smashing your face.
I R A Darth Aggie at January 21, 2016 7:08 AM
unless you are a heartless bastard
Yep, that's me. Mother Nature is a harsh mistress, and yes she inflicts death upon such cute critters. If momma is dead, which it might be in the NJ case, or she refuses to care for her offspring because she smells human on them, well that's Nature for you.
My rule of thumb? don't mess with Nature. Hawks gotta eat, snakes gotta eat, and so do the maggots.
I R A Darth Aggie at January 21, 2016 7:18 AM
Nope, Cousin Dave. It isn't different in New Jersey.
This woman is, quite simply, a fucking idiot. Rodents, including the "cute" ones, are pests - even here in Jersey.
And, other pests, including those most prevalent in the Garden State, are those liberals who all call for more government. (need an eradication program for them! humanely, of course)
Yep, IRA, it is fun to watch those calls for bigger government have that bigger government turn around a kick them in the ass. They asked for it, they got it.
Oh, and squirrels are NOT an endangered species; so, leave them the fuck alone!
charles at January 21, 2016 8:12 AM
Do not touch nature!!! You are not qualified!!! When my kids were little, they were asked to bring leaves in (during autumn) for science class. All around my house are just the same maple trees. So we went to the park, but a big sign says no picking anything--even fallen leaves! I can understand not allowing harvesting lots of wildflowers (like for commercial use) but protecting fallen leaves from school children? wow
Craig Loehle at January 21, 2016 9:02 AM
@ Cousin Dave and IRA DA - leaving aside the schadenfreude angle - she's from NJ, she wanted more government, and now she's got it - and the health argument - you should leave wildlife alone - the real issue is the fact that the regulation against 'keeping captive game animals' doesn't do any public good (since it is obviously broken all the time) and the only reason that she was prosecuted was at the urging of a person who is 'licensed' by the state to do what she did. The only purpose of the enforcement was to maintain the state's licensing regime.
llater,
llamas
llamas at January 21, 2016 10:08 AM
Llamas, I agree with you, with one caveat. If someone is raising pests and then turning them loose, that would be a public health problem. However, that wasn't what the woman in NJ was doing.
Cousin Dave at January 21, 2016 12:44 PM
"If someone is raising pests and then turning them loose, that would be a public health problem."
Gee. It looks like you didn't read the link I provided.
You don't have to do shit but bring the thing in the house. You'll carry the fever to school and work.
Four years ago I got to speak, briefly, to the Deputy Surgeon General of the US. The CDC is just waiting for human encroachment of prairie dog territory and the common practice of letting pets roam to bring the Plague back to Colorado.
Radwaste at January 21, 2016 5:41 PM
Her own fault for posting on Evidence book.
Matt at January 21, 2016 11:56 PM
Radwaste, does anything you say about Prairie Dogs and plague apply to squirrels? NO.
You take one extreme example and try to extend it to all animals. The solution is to prohibit the handling of Prairie Dogs. But no, you have to go all Cliff Clavin on us.
You seem to know a lot but you have no common sense. Try limiting the discussion to squirrels next time instead of showing off how much you know about useless irrelevant topics.
R. Hartman Roemer at January 26, 2016 12:56 PM
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