We were gone for a week. The fox squirrels and red squirrels that gave life to my woodland backyard are gone. My neighbor across the street heard what he thought were fire crackers in our new neighbors' backyard.I have reason to believe these were gun reports.
Their property adjoins our property. Apparently they found the squirrels a nuisance.
I'm sick.
Update: I talked to the police and they've directed me to the ordinances covering discharging firearms and killing animals within the municipality. They agreed that an anonymous letter with copies of the applicable ordinances was a good idea. Then they said to call them immediately if I hear further reports. The letter will be in the mail tomorrow. My hope is that it will discourage any further slaughter of the creatures that drift between our properties.
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17 comments:
Did they scare them off?
Silly, ridiculous people!
Maybe you can entice them back and convince the new neighbors to not bother them?
Oh, sweet Lynne. Out of the dozen fox squirrels and 3 red squirrels I've only seen 1 fox and 1 red squirrel in days.
When these stand-offish folks moved in a month ago we always had two cars parked in our drive because our garage is filled with furniture and equipment we will dispose of over the next weeks.
We drove the two cars for the week away in central Ohio because my hubby towed some items to our country home. The new neighbors therefore knew we were gone.
The fire-cracker like sounds lasted just two days according to the neighbor who heard the noise.
I think the squirrels made their rottweiler and doberman nervous and they simply took care of the problem.
Oh Laura, it's a comfort to have you drop by. If you read my response to Lynne you'll understand that I know the squirrels are dead.
They were so habituated to the former owner of that house and to me that they could easily be enticed into that yard with a handful of peanuts and then dispatched.
Because I think these people are strange, I'm going to send an anonymous letter that simply states that it is illegal to discharge firearms within the city limits and that it is illegal to kill squirrels.
Maybe they'll reconsider any plans to continue the slaughter.
I am so sorry about that. I wonder if there is some way you could alert the authorities to this too. Seems as if they should know about the discharge of firearms so near homes and kids and pets and all.
Three Collie, dear . . . thank you for kindly lending that well-considered advice. Dang. It's just that those stupid squirrels had become a part of my back yard and, well . . just the source of so much happy background as I went about my day.
I'd take a few minutes to throw a few peanuts out there when they'd show up on my porch swing, little paws patiently folded as they waited for me to emerge . . .
As for alerting the authorities: it was my first inclination, but my husband doesn't want to start a neighborhood vendetta and is seriously talking about moving.
Gratitude. Gratitude. I'm trying to focus on the good things in my life and the happy years we've had on this street, but it's sure hard to turn away from a place that is . . . well, 'home'.
This is *so* very sad. Ignorant people.
Oh Pam. I wish it were attributable to ignorance. I suppose I should be more charitable about this, but it seems anyone who could slaughter those tame little animals for their own convenience , , well - I think there is a hardness of the soul there that I don't want to associate with or live next door to.
Cathy,
Your comments on WattsUpWithThat [I'm "Smokey" over there] brought me here. This is a wonderful blog.
When I was a boy growing up in a suburb of Cleveland we had a 40-acre park starting at the end of our back yard. Lots of pin oaks, so lots of squirrels, including flying squirrels.
One old momma squirrel would come right up to the open window and take pieces of bread with peanut butter out of my hand, completely unafraid.
I've lived in California for 39 years now, but I still miss the lush Ohio summers, the wildlife, the lightning bugs, the summer thunder storms...
Maybe someone could tell your new neighbor to check out this blog. Sometimes people do things without thinking them through. It won't bring back the squirrels, but if they're left alone new ones will come back.
Smokey.
You brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks for sharing the sweet memories and for your wise counsel in how to handle my new neighbors.
But, to tell the truth . . they are a little strange and, dear, I've come from a long line of eccentrics and at my age have dealt with all types - so I can 'do' strange.
But there is a quality here that, frankly - makes me uneasy.
I'm going to send the anonymous letter with the municipal ordinances that clearly prohibit this kind of activity.
Thanks for dropping by, Smokey.
See you over a WUWT.
Cathy, I've read all of your follow-up comments and my heart aches for you. I guess I am naive but it never occurred to me that the neighbors shot your squirrels. Trust your instincts regarding these neighbors and keep a distance.
{{{hugs to you}}}
Sweet Lynne.
I've updated my first post. I hadn't mentioned firearms when you first read it. I think I was blocking the word, subconsciously.
Thank you for the hugs. I really need them. I can hardly stand to be in my own home.
I've gone out to scatter seed and peanuts. Only the nervous squeaking of the Mourning Dove wings greet me.
I've seen two very wary squirrels running away when I open the patio door. They are either survivors of the slaughter or newcomers from a nearby park who, as Smokey above said - will filter in to fill the void.
Too freaking cute!
I'm sorry to hear that but hopefully they'll be back in the numbers you like to see soon.
Cathy,
I'm heartbroken. Your neighbors are not the type of people I'd be friendly with. I wonder if there is a law that can stop this?
Sorry... I get sick whenever I hear about or see something like this.
Hugs,
Mary
Monarch!
You cutie ;0)
I'm glad you didn't get in on the early days of this disaster.
Hope you don't get back here to discover the post behind that cute picture.
Trust me. I've had misreads like you too, and I absolve thee ;-D
Hey Larry.
I know. I know. Squirrels tend to multiply, but I feel so bad for those friendly little ones who came knocking and particularly for any babies left stranded by their mother's disappearance.
Sweet Mary,
I almost feel badly for having posted this thing. I know your tender heart reacts like mine.
I'm trying to put it behind me.
The laws are on the books. Sadly people have their own agendas.
I'm just catching up on some blog reading. How terrible and sad. I would be upset and *furious* over this situation. I can also quite understand your husband's feelings about wanting to move. Someone very weird moved in next to my mom's house about four years ago. The people are incredibly noisy and unpleasant and hate my mom's dog. Now she's afraid to leave it outside in her yard in case they poison it. She's been there 35 years and doesn't want to move -- but still, sometimes you just don't know what to do. Being in the midst of moving from my place, I know it's easier said than done. Well, here's hoping there are no more of such incidents.
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