Thorn in my #$%* wrote on Sep 6, 2006 9:04 PM:
" I think we should have let nature take its course and the neighbors cat take care of the problem. Too bad for the little guys but there are more important issues out there. Must have been a slow news day. Lets attack the poor guy who was just doing his job and attack the agency he works for. Get a life! "
EWJ wrote on Sep 3, 2006 12:27 PM:
" What's the big fuss about here? Man tried to help them squirrels. Got bit, shot them dead. I would had drowned them in a rain barrel. I've seen animals with fishing line, and twine buried deep in their flesh, and you can't get it out for digging into them. You got to realize that them squirrels were growing all along, long before they fell out of their nest. "
REDNECKS & SQUIRRELS wrote on Sep 3, 2006 8:52 AM:
" Mr Wehrs,
It is people like you that give a bad name to real outdoors people. Why do you get the opportunity to tell the whole Coulee Region negatives about squirrels. Did you only get letters about people who hate squirrels? It must be because there was not one positive thing said. I did find it sad that the baby squirrels had to be shot not euthanized. I guess when our pets get sick we should take a gun out and shoot them too.
I find it very difficult that the La Crosse Tribune would actually give you a pay check. Maybe you can try to be fair and print both sides of the story. Maybe you can try to be impartial,though from the tone of your squirrel column I'm guessing that would happen about the time hell freezes over.
"
Disgusted wrote on Sep 3, 2006 1:17 AM:
" What a bunch of sick minded, heartless people, believe me, I would much rather spend my time caring for animals. Im sure those squirrels were probably a lot nicer than most of you creepy macho animal killers and they were probably better looking and better smelling than you too. People like you are one of the reasons our world is so messed up. I guess its OK for this dirt bag to kill baby squirrels, but didnt some guy get jail time a while back for shooting a cat?? "
shirl wrote on Sep 2, 2006 4:22 PM:
" After reading about how the DNR handle this problem and then reading what most of you people wrote.Tells me theres a lot of crule and heartless people out there,its a real shame.I have no repect for people like that,you know if everyone would try to do good things in this world it would be a greater place to live.I guess thats the answer to everything now days just kill it. "
Thorn wrote on Sep 2, 2006 10:17 AM:
" Hey...(tongue-in-cheek) the Earth is just a planet...there are BILLIONS and BILLIONS of them out there...who cares about one lousy planet, let alone 5 suffering animals; actually caring about animals and humans...what a waste of time! "
tax $ at work wrote on Sep 2, 2006 9:41 AM:
" 5 shots, 5 squirrels, my dad would have said good job. but that close it seams like he could have lined them up a little better, maybe 3 shot and 5 squirrles!! you shootum, you cleanum.. seams like a waist of tax #s for 5 bullets for something that close. "
rick wrote on Sep 2, 2006 8:41 AM:
" P.E.T.A.
people eating tasty animals "
grey wrote on Sep 2, 2006 5:55 AM:
" shoulda just chopped tails off. I shot at a squirrel once and took half it's tail off, it lived at least three years (and I don't think that's too short a time, since it was an adult when I shot it) and I let it have free reign of my yard for the trouble (unlike the other ones)
the tail only helps balance, and squirrels CAN live without one. "
Lothar the Destroyer wrote on Sep 2, 2006 5:41 AM:
" Those squirrels would have been delicious had they been allowed to grow up. Stubby sawn-off tails or not, they're still God's creatures. God's tasty, fuzzy creatures. I do agree that five .22 caliber shells is extreme. Should have thrown the lot up in the air and used a 12 gauge. Or run 'em through a wood chipper. I saw a wounded squirrel on the road once. I was humane enough to run over the poor thing with my pickup truck. Twice. "
bdawg wrote on Sep 1, 2006 4:12 PM:
" if people could see past the satanic evil of money maybe they would see the beauty of our fellow animals without whom we would surely perish i think a squirrel is more important then most people "
Ok ok ok wrote on Sep 1, 2006 2:51 PM:
" How about a little bit of gas and a match. Could have ended the problem and made a meal!!! "
Jess wrote on Sep 1, 2006 2:41 PM:
" He was doing his job. Shut up. Is this issue really what we are spending our time complaining about? New Orleans still needs rebuilding. Why are you people raising your voices to attack Ron Lichtie for shooting 5 squirrels that were attached and couldn't be seperated? Is that really what we should be spending our tax money on, taking squirrels to the vet? I bet if we did that would have caused a huge outcry as well. If you think you can do his job better, go apply for it. PRIORITIES PEOPLE!! "
RE: LARK wrote on Sep 1, 2006 2:24 PM:
" If you are so damned concerned about animals, more so than humans...we should treat you like animals. Have an open season on you, tie you up during the day, keep you in cages, feed you dog food. "
R A wrote on Sep 1, 2006 2:17 PM:
" What a disappointment to read about the kind of men out there today. Keep the children and pets away from these guys, they are dangerous. And never call the DNR to take care of an animal,they are not kind! Who was the guy. I would like to give him a piece of my mind. The Humane Society is there for a reason and if they can't help, do not donate to them, very simple. They used to come out for everything, now they are too big to deal with some things. It would be nice to go back to the old days in a lot of respects. "
RE: what were they thinking wrote on Sep 1, 2006 2:14 PM:
" yeah, we could have put them in the circus or something. this was the best choice. they would have all starved to death. "
RE: Lichtie what were you thinking? wrote on Sep 1, 2006 2:12 PM:
" wow, again the comparison of humans to squirrels. you must have been there to know the situation. You should have brought your knot tying trophy to assist the DNR and untangle the tails. "
RE: Animal Lover wrote on Sep 1, 2006 2:02 PM:
" Tell ya what "Animal Lover", why don't you and all of the other people who "would have handled it different" all post your contact info in case something like this happens again. That way the DNR can call you guys and have you cuddle with them until they die because they cannot function properly. "
RE: Shooting is NOT euthanizing! wrote on Sep 1, 2006 1:59 PM:
" Hate to break it to ya, but it's the same thing. "
HUMANE HUMAN wrote on Sep 1, 2006 1:45 PM:
" I found a baby squirrel laying in the street a few years ago, probably kicked out of the nest, that had an injured tail. I took a scissors and cut off the end, then nursed it back to health. It's been such a pal to me, my family, and the neighbors. We set out nuts and scraps. We call it "stubby". Those little creatures could have had a happy life, and been a delight to watch. Too bad that they're dead. I would have helped them. PS. I like humans too, and would also help a human being. "
tonythetough wrote on Sep 1, 2006 12:38 PM:
" What a waste of 5 bullets :( There are much better ways to put five little squirrels out of their misery than wasting $2.00. A swift blow to the head with a hammer would have done the same thing and the squirrels wouldn't have felt a thing. Problem solved. "
Why? wrote on Sep 1, 2006 11:55 AM:
" Did the Trib print this article for the entertainment of whoever posts these comments? Can't beleive the quanity and content of these comments. Frightening, amusing and disturbing! I have a thought - why doesn't the Trib expand the youth sports features - Park and Rec teams, Boys and Girls Club, the Y. Give some press to the kids and not the rats with tails! "
LARK wrote on Sep 1, 2006 11:53 AM:
" To all of you out there that say "they're just squirrels" and say we should be concerned with the suffering of humans instead....us humans are the cause of all the suffering out there and we deserve what we get...the poor animals also end up suffering because of us....they should get our sympathy even more. "
Thorn wrote on Sep 1, 2006 10:16 AM:
" If this guy doesn't have the knowledge/patience to deal with this situation; what the he** is he doing in the DNR? Shouldn't a DNR officer be expected to handle this type of situation with just a little compassion? Was this guy involved in the wonderful holding tank fishing competition fiasco also?...and for all you "amateur" statisticians, please no more "99.9% of all _____ (fill in the blank; in this case DNR) employees work hard and do a great job"...after a year of reading about corrupt/inept/overpaid/underutilized/foolish/immoral/unethical/
local Government employees DAILY in the news I apologize, but I am a bit cynical.
"
Can we say... wrote on Sep 1, 2006 9:26 AM:
" ... sedation?? If asked,I'm sure some kind Vet,would have donated the time to help. It would've taken only a few phone calls. I wish someone would've called me!!!! "
cfyandcfr wrote on Sep 1, 2006 7:19 AM:
" 5 bullets to shoot 5 squirrels
How long do you think THAT took ? ? ?
And the terror between the first bullet and the fifth bullet was humane ? ? "
Harry Bolz wrote on Sep 1, 2006 7:13 AM:
" Why didn't he just chop their tails off? It's not like they're beavers that rely on their tail to live. "
Andrew wrote on Sep 1, 2006 1:24 AM:
" Feel that putting them to sleep so the tails could of been untangled by a Vet would of been the right thing to do. And the ones who tail was to twisted in to amputated or shortened. "
Don't like Killing! wrote on Aug 31, 2006 11:01 PM:
" I am sorry to learn that the DNR man got ticked off at the little fellows for biting him and fast drew his .22 to gun them down. Clint Eastwood would be proud of this officer. "
Shooting IS euthanizing! wrote on Aug 31, 2006 8:01 PM:
" Had I found them, I'd have tried to untangle them myself and the end result could very well have been the same. It isn't that I'm a cruel person, or hate the little tree rats, in fact quite the opposite. I put food out for them and quite enjoy watching the little devils. Lichtie did the right thing. Those of you that think otherwise, I'd suggest you call him up so he can add your name and phone number to a list and next time he can call you and you can assume responsibility and take the animals to the vet and cover the costs. "
Land Management or Anger Management wrote on Aug 31, 2006 7:43 PM:
" I think he just got mad because he got bit and frustrated so he shot the squirrels. "
Squirrel hunter wrote on Aug 31, 2006 7:34 PM:
" I'll have to remember that the next time I go sqirrel hunting next time, how convenient, tie their tails together! "
question wrote on Aug 31, 2006 5:22 PM:
" what was the DNR doing with a .22? shouldn't you be carrying maybe something a little bigger? "
next time you find squirrels wrote on Aug 31, 2006 4:01 PM:
" to whomever started this whole debacle by calling the DNR, just let nature run it's course. the crows, birds of prey and carnivores need to eat too. mother nature is best served when man stays out of it's business. just think, by trying to 'save' these squirrels, you may have deprived a hawk out of a meal for it's young. heck i think even a feral cat could have made a meal out of them. and we all know how much people love feral cats. "
TB wrote on Aug 31, 2006 2:16 PM:
" The correct solution would have been to call "Child Squirrel Protection Services" and do an intervention with the mother squirrel. She showed obvious neglect for her children to allow them to play with twine. Mothers like these should have their children put into squirrel foster homes until they can be adopted by loving, caring squirrel parents.
If George from Seinfeld were available he could have arranged for "tiny" instruments for squirrel surgery.
Just another case of squirrel neglect. So sad in this society! "
DNR is not the right idea to safe those babies squirrels wrote on Aug 31, 2006 1:02 PM:
" DNR If you just put them in the cage or cover them with the net then you will cut each squirrel tail out. Just to shot all of them is not good idea. To live without tail is better to die in DNR's hand. "
Get Real wrote on Aug 31, 2006 12:27 PM:
" What did you expect have CNN come in and cover this as they were separated? We have American soldiers dying over in Iraq everyday fighting yet another war like Viet Nam and Desert Storm.
Get a life for cripes sakes! "
Could not of made up a worst ending wrote on Aug 31, 2006 11:46 AM:
" I could not of made up a worst ending. The worst case I thought would of happened was that their tails got cut off. I still cannot believe that the DNR guy provided details of him shooting them. Sounds like something need a Public Relations refresher course. "
Done It wrote on Aug 31, 2006 11:29 AM:
" Two years ago, the same thing on my property. Instead of 5, there were 3. The only thing from their rescue was mom squirrel. After being in the tree with her a foot away, all I had were visions of Christmas Vaction with a squirel on my head as I tumbled down the tree. Two were active, one was not. Tangled the same way, and with the same stuff. Remember the twine holding your vegg's up? Anyway, with my brother, we got them free. One was in question on living, but the others were ok. One tail came off from being raw, but all three lived. Are they squirrels, yes, the little vermine they are, but you know, as a person of the outdoors, I still have a good feeling about what transpired and certainly the memories of the rare occasion. "
And another thing wrote on Aug 31, 2006 10:47 AM:
" Squirrels are hunted and killed every day. What some of you are suggesting is akin to the DNR trying to save the life of an injured deer or rabbit on the side of the highway. Think about what you are proposing, whose money is being spent, and whether or not that is the priority that you want the government to have. "
Questions... wrote on Aug 31, 2006 10:47 AM:
" First off, who would pay for the vet to sedate and separate them, as someone suggested? That would be no small expense. I love animals, but I don't support spending that kind of money when it is in such short supply. Also, some of you will find fault with the DNR no matter what they would have done. How much time and money do you want a government agency to invest to save 5 squirrels? I guarantee that if the DNR spends time saving those squirrels, there will be something else that they are not able to get done because of that. "
what were they thinking wrote on Aug 31, 2006 10:34 AM:
" You spend all that time trying to get them untangled after that doesn't work you shoot them with a gun. Why? There are better ways. "
get a clue wrote on Aug 31, 2006 10:15 AM:
" They're tree RATS for pete sake. Quit trying to imply that they have human emotions and reasonning. If they did, don't you think they would have evolved a little further up the food chain. As Ted Nugent once said; all they think about is their next meal and next reproduction opportunity, kind of like the French. "
Are you kidding!!! wrote on Aug 31, 2006 10:09 AM:
" "Opinion, you are an IDIOT!!!!!!" There is no place in this world for people like you. Take a long hike down a one-way road. I like animals, I'm not a fanatic but maybe next time the DNR should use a better way to end it." "
re;Shooting is not euthanizing wrote on Aug 31, 2006 10:06 AM:
" Do you know what the word euthanize means???? Plain and simple to cause death, by whatever means. "
hmmm wrote on Aug 31, 2006 9:59 AM:
" come on people..there squirrels..there run over every day by cars..at least he did it quick for them "
Well... wrote on Aug 31, 2006 9:34 AM:
" This shows you what kind of hick town we live in "
Lichtie what were you thinking? wrote on Aug 31, 2006 9:24 AM:
" I agree with all the comments above. They could have been sedated and the tails could have been trimmed. Euthanizing with a gun?
Would you do this to a human if the were conjoined? I think had you put sometime into this it could have been accomplished but killing seem to be your choice all along. SAD!!! "
Pam wrote on Aug 31, 2006 9:13 AM:
" Shooting them was a horrid way to end it. They could have been anesthetized, and had their tails amputated if they couldn't be untwisted. If nothing else, he could have had a vet euthanize them. I hope that DNR guy never finds someone's lost pet and decides to put it out of its misery! Even though they are "just" squirrels, they deserved a better chance than that! "
Hmm ... wrote on Aug 31, 2006 9:09 AM:
" There is something unsettling about this story. With all the media involvment, and if anyone was looking for a happy ending to this, why didn't someone get a veterinarian involved? Hmm ... a surgeon or the DNR guy with a .22?
At least there are some other articles on education in today's Tribune. "
HHHHHHMMMMMM wrote on Aug 31, 2006 8:32 AM:
" YOU MEAN JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE SQUIRRELS THE BEST ANSWER ANYBODY COULD HAVE COME UP WITH IS PASS A CAP THREW THEIR HEAD???SORRY...I DON'T GET IT,IF YOU ARE CONNECTED WITH ANOTHER HUMAN BEING AND THERE IS NO WAY TO SEPERATE,OR FUNCTION FAIRLY CLOSE TO NORMAL(BUT WHAT IS NORMAL NOW DAYS)DO WE PASS A BULLET THREW THEM?TO BAD SOMEBODY GAVE BARNEY A GUN AND BULLETS. "
squirrel season wrote on Aug 31, 2006 8:22 AM:
" I thought squirrel season did'nt start until September? "
Frightened of a tiring a squirrel wrote on Aug 31, 2006 8:16 AM:
" I didn't know squirrels were immune to anesthesia.... I guess euthanasia IS the best answer, I mean cheapest.
Don't want all of the rest of these posters on this forum to scream "my tax dollars at work" "
Animal Lover wrote on Aug 31, 2006 8:14 AM:
" I feel that this was one of the Tribune's worst articles. I also feel that the DNR could have handles this situation a different way. They are supposed to be there to assist animals, not scare them. The squirrels could have been sedated. I don't see why they had to be (supposedly humanely) shot instead of euthanized. I have lost all respect for anyone in the DNR. "
Shooting is NOT euthanizing! wrote on Aug 31, 2006 8:04 AM:
" I can't believe that you can say that shooting the animals is euthanizing the squirrels...it is killing them plain and simple. I strongly feel that there were other options for this situation than the one that occured. If the squirrels truly needed to be put down, shooting them should not have been the way to do it! "
Opinion wrote on Aug 31, 2006 7:46 AM:
" I say shoot them, make a hat, grill the meat and use the guts as bait for another animal to either trap, shoot, or choke to death. I'm glad that the article said that he shot them because I'm sure this is gonna create an uproar within the community. This has been a hilarious story to follow!! I love squirrel meat!! I don't like spiders though, so everyone should leave them alone. "
Calling a vet would have been a good idea wrote on Aug 31, 2006 7:37 AM:
" A veterenarian may have been able to sedate all 5 of the small squirrels with "gas" in an aparatus that looks like and aquarium. Then then it would have been much easier to cut away the twine. Alternatively the squirrels could have been euthanized that way too. But you can't eat squirrels killed that way, I guess. I hope the little guys haven't gone to "waste." Squirrel stew is quite good! "
Dale wrote on Aug 31, 2006 7:16 AM:
" Didn't they ever hear of amputation of thy tail? We've all seen squirrels running around with half a tail. "
George Baker wrote on Aug 31, 2006 2:05 AM:
" could there not been a way to lose a bit of the tails? Perhaps even suffer one or two to better the others? "
Ben wrote on Aug 31, 2006 2:02 AM:
" On the contrary, I think God compelled Mr. Lichtie to shoot the squirrels. You suck, God! "
Jim Lewis wrote on Aug 31, 2006 12:45 AM:
" Maybe the story was inaccurate, but if it was true, how was it not possible to use a sharp knife to sever whatever was tying them together? And if they bit through his glove - what would you expect to happen. It doesn't sound like there was much effort invested in preserving life and I think even I could have done better. "
Why not get a vet to help? wrote on Aug 31, 2006 12:16 AM:
" Shooting them does not sound "humane" to me. Poor decision, I think the grace of God lead that lady to find/see them to get them help not murder them! "
Mr. H wrote on Aug 31, 2006 12:05 AM:
" .22 does the trick...CROCK POT BABY!!! "
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