Comments on: Squirrel nurse bust in Jersey shocker

By: Legal Eagle

Legal Eagle — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:09:42 +0000

In reply to Bill Poser. Of course squirrels are dangerous. Ever see Christmas Vacation?

By: Rick Jette

Rick Jette — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 22:35:15 +0000

ironically it is perfectly legal to trap and kill them as pests.

By: MattS

MattS — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 21:32:09 +0000

In reply to Bill Poser.

“A secondary reason is that some wild animals are dangerous (e.g. bobcats, cougars, wolves, bears”

Porcupines
Skunks.

By: Bill Poser

Bill Poser — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 18:54:38 +0000

In reply to mojo. There is actually a reason for licensing wildlife rehabilitators, namely to see that wild animals are cared for by people who know how to enable them to return to the wild. Many people with good intentions don't know how to care properly for wild animals, and if they do, will still care for them in a way which results in them becoming dependent on humans. A secondary reason is that some wild animals are dangerous (e.g. bobcats, cougars, wolves, bears) and should not be kept by people who do not have certain expertise and facilities.

By: Bill Poser

Bill Poser — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 18:50:53 +0000

Part of the problem here is that the prosecutors have lost sight of the purpose of the law, which is to minimize the domestication of wild animals by restricting the care of sick and injured animals to people who will try to enable them to return to the wild rather than domesticate them. In this case, as the article states, no licensed rehabilitator would take the squirrel. The choices were therefore to put the squirrel out to die or for the person who found it to care for it. The state’s purpose was surely better advanced by the unlicensed person taking care of the squirrel.

By: D

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 22:55:03 +0000

The only squirrel I have ever known to fall out of a tree was when I was five. Its fall had nothing to do with the rock I threw at it because I wanted to pet it. Suspicious.

By: mojo

mojo — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 20:36:45 +0000

Hey, I think I found the problem!:
” licensed wildlife rehabilitator”

By: MattS

MattS — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 19:47:50 +0000

“Is a squirrel really a game animal in New Jersey?”

If it’s still legal to hunt squirrels, whether for food or for shits and giggles, then they are still a game animal.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/smgame_info.htm

The answer is yes.

By: gitarcarver

gitarcarver — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 19:39:26 +0000

And this is not a case we’re focusing any energy on. [Bob Considine, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokesman] said.

I suggest that Mr. Considine contact the Department of Energy as New Jersey has figured out a way to monitor social media, investigate, show up at the woman’s home, accept the squirrels from the woman, issue a ticket and appear in court without expending any energy.

By: No Name Guy

No Name Guy — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 18:32:51 +0000

mens rea?