A quick look at legislative news and the Montgomery County special election on April 12
by Mike Tabor
Back in the day when I first started farming--1972 or so--I decided to raise sweet corn. Somehow, only a few days before it was ready, the raccoon community got the word out and I was besieged by the critters. I asked my neighbors what to do and they suggested I use leg traps - which I did. After baiting and setting the traps, I checked the next morning and found, sure enough, one was caught. He, or she, was in the process of chewing it's leg off - and when it saw me approach, put its 2 prehensile hands together and appealed for mercy!! I tried to release it but it snapped at me and I had to shoot it. But, I resolved not to ever grow sweet corn again.
This year, a group of upcounty residents decided to band together to get state legislation passed so that the County could ban the cruel practice. (I had thought the damn traps were already illegal!) In addition to animal cruelty issues, the traps also catch, maim or kill pets.
by Mike Tabor
Back in the day when I first started farming--1972 or so--I decided to raise sweet corn. Somehow, only a few days before it was ready, the raccoon community got the word out and I was besieged by the critters. I asked my neighbors what to do and they suggested I use leg traps - which I did. After baiting and setting the traps, I checked the next morning and found, sure enough, one was caught. He, or she, was in the process of chewing it's leg off - and when it saw me approach, put its 2 prehensile hands together and appealed for mercy!! I tried to release it but it snapped at me and I had to shoot it. But, I resolved not to ever grow sweet corn again.
This year, a group of upcounty residents decided to band together to get state legislation passed so that the County could ban the cruel practice. (I had thought the damn traps were already illegal!) In addition to animal cruelty issues, the traps also catch, maim or kill pets.
Continue reading Progressively speaking: News round-up.
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