In a move which would seem overkill, and which is causing alarm to citizens and animal rights advocates, police in Caldwell, Idaho have been shooting and killing crows, including in the parking lot of the local Walmart store.
From an article:
Twelve dead crows have been found scattered around a Walmart parking lot in Caldwell, and an animal rights group says it isn't right, especially since Caldwell Police are the ones firing the shots.
"My concern is killing them when other means could be used," said Toni Hicks, Director of Animals in Distress.
Hicks is a wildlife rehabilitator, licensed by the state of Idaho since 1987, and argues that there's got to be a better, safer way to get rid of the annoying crows.
"I really don't feel they need to shoot them," said Hicks. "There's other ways of dealing with nuisance animals." ...
Allgood says the public is not in danger. He says trained officers shoot the crows late at night, using real light loads and shooting upwards. Caldwell Police plan to continue this method as long as the crows are a nuisance.
Idaho Fish and Game officer Charlie Justice says Caldwell Police has the backing of the federal government, and says federal regulations allow police to shoot crows as long as they are proven to be a nuisance and non-lethal means are used first.
Idaho Fish and Game gave Caldwell Police special permission to shoot crows at night and outside crow hunting season, which runs October 1 to January 31.Walmart. Save money. Die faster.
