Monday, February 11, 2013

Holley Squirrel Slaughter Update

Today, in Albany, New York, wildlife rehabilitator Carrie Leo is presenting almost 15,000 petition signatures at a news conference with NY state senator Tony Avella. The petition asks the village of Holley, NY and the Holley Fire Department to cancel its annual "Squirrel Slam," the fundraising event at which "hunters" will compete to kill squirrels. Prizes will be given in adult and youth categories to those who kill the heaviest squirrels, and in a separate drawing after the hunt, firearms will be awarded as prizes.

With less than a week to go before the bloodbath, the town seems to have dug in its heels and resisted the massive public call to stop the event. There has even been an effort to raise money for the fire department to replace the funds that it would lose if it did cancel the hunt.

Photo by Morgan Jamie Dunbar

What I am afraid that many of the supporters of the Squirrel Slam do not understand (or refuse to acknowledge) is that the protest is not about taking away their right to hunt or to own a gun. While I am sure that many of the protesters, myself included, do support common sense gun control measures, that is a separate issue. This protest is not about banning hunting, where a reasonable number of animals are taken for food. It is about holding a contest to kill as many squirrels as possible, for no purpose other than to win prizes. It is about encouraging children to think of pointless, purposeless killing as a fun way to spend an afternoon. It is about a culture that cheapens and trivializes life and death.

I still hold out hope that the town of Holley will  listen to the voices of all who are speaking out and decide to cancel the Squirrel Slam. If this year's event does go on, I hope that the powers that be in the town will quietly reconsider and find a more humane fundraising event for next year and future years going forward. And I hope that other communities that hold similar cruel and callous killing contests will look at the outcry over the Squirrel Slam and know that they too will risk the same negative spotlight of attention if they continue holding these events.

Update: Here is an account of Senator Avella's press conference that was held this afternoon.

Here is another account of the press conference, with video.

6 comments:

  1. I name is Sage Wood & I know for a fact that An Animal's Eyes have the Power to Speak a Great language. As long as Man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of Innocent living beings, he will never know well Health or Peace. For as long as Men massacre Animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap true Joy and Love. As long as Man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of Innocent living beings, he will never know Health or Peace. For as long as Men massacre Animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap a fruitful Life.

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  2. THERE IS NO REVERENCE IN WHAT THESE FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING. ALL INVOLVED IN THIS SHOULD HIDE THEIR HEADS IN TOTAL SHAME. THEY ARE ALL MURDERERS..NOT SAVIORS AT ALL!!

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  3. I just stumbled upon this page. I live in Massachusetts but husband was from New York. I cannot believe what I am reading...and that this actually happens in what is supposed to be a "civilized society". You have got to be kidding me! Those poor little critters, there they are minding their own business, and here comes some giant bully human to hunt them! What a shame. I wish I was in NY as I would be protesting this day and night and calling the ASPCA, PETA, and any other animal rights group that there is!!!!

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