Neighbor Killed Our Squirrel

[BumbleBee]

I know it's not really 'ours' and that what she does on her property is her business, but UGH!

For about a month now we've been watching a momma and baby squirrel run around and do their thing by the tree outside. We have a window that faces the tree and the kids have been fascinated by the baby.

Last week the kids noticed that the momma wasn't around, just the baby. It's been living under a board I have out there to protect the garden hose from being run over by the lawnmower. We have a bird feeder set up right outside of the window facing the tree so it's been eating the seeds dropped from the feeder.

In talking to my neighbor today, nice little old lady, she informs me that she trapped and drowned a squirrel that had a baby with it and she's now trying to trap the baby and drown it too.

I so wish she didn't have a vendetta against squirrels! She always tells me how she kills them humanely. Lady, it may be better than poison that kills them slowly but seriously, trapping them in a cage then sticking the cage in a garbage can full of water is not humane in my book!

Doesn't help that she's on one side killing squirrels and my neighbor on the other side of me actively feeds them. Every day she's out there putting watermelon, corn, nuts, etc. out for the squirrels.

Just my rant for the evening I guess. Nothing I can do about it.

[sharlan]

ugh!

My best friend's dh feels that's a humane way to kill squirrels, too. He drowns several week. They live on 5 acres out in the middle of nowhere. There is no way he's going to kill all the squirrels, but he's trying.

Last time I was there, I quietly released the trap when she wasn't around.

[Michael]

I can see how you've taken to them especially as a teaching moment for your kids. Your neighbor probably sees them as pests. I usually get a hundred peaches on my tree and only have pits left on the ground, so I can empathize with your neighbor. My daughter wouldn't let me get rid of them and believe me I've thought of it.

[Unregistered]

That is gross! I've never heard of people killing squirrels. That is so sad. A little old lady is doing that? I would freak out!

I know a little old lady who killed a nest of bunnies. I don't know why. There was a nest in her brushes. It would make me throw up to kill a nest of baby bunnies!

[sharlan]

My girlfriend has problems with the squirrels around her house undermining the driveway and walkways, especially the ones on the side of the hills.

I understand why they want to get rid of them, but wish they'd find a more humane way.

[Mike]

My brother feeds squirrels, chipmunks, and birds. Many of them eat out of his hand, and mine too. It's fun and very stress relieving to feed them.

It's always sad when others kill them, but it's true that an overpopulation can be trouble.

[Thriftylady]

This angers me!! I had a pet squirrel as a kid. By far the sweetest and smartest pet I ever had. I know they can cause issues for some people, but really they are not that big of a nuisance IMHO.

[Josiegirl]

Oh no! We love watching the big gray squirrels chase each other around the trees when we're feeding birds in the winter. One year we had red squirrels too, they were fun. Until I could hear gnawing and scurrying in my walls. I had several that got in between my walls. But still, I borrowed a no-kill trap and brought them far far away out into the woods, one by one. I made 5 trips until I stopped getting any in the trap. As much of a pest as they can be, why can't they be removed peacefully. We have forests galore here so taking a 20 minute ride isn't a big deal.
My neighbor sets a leg trap for woodchucks, then takes a hammer to them. I know they'll take over his garden but there's gotta be a better way.
I don't even like killing most bugs.

[Josiegirl]

And BUNNIES? I can't even imagine.

[jenboo]

That makes me so sad!
We have tons of squirrels. My dog loves to chase them which keeps them out of our yard and doesn't harm them. We have two huge trees that they are always in.

[Blackcat31]

Sorry guys, I know they are cute and adorable to watch but squirrels and rabbits cause hundreds of $'s worth of damage to things when they get into your house, exterior siding, sheds, under your garage or in your crawl space or basement.

My DCK's love watching the bunnies too but when they try to nest in your crawl space and chew on the wires under your house, leaving you with no cable or loss of power they aren't so cute. I'm tired of planting and replanting veggies in my garden only to have them eaten by fat gray mama rabbit and her babies. :confused: (yes, we have a fence)

My DH had a squirrel get into our garage and it crawled up into his truck. $3800 of electrical work later and it STILL comes back all the time. Every time my DH hits the brakes in his truck you can hear the stray acorns roll inside the truck frame.
Given the chance will I trap and dispose of him? Absolutely.

I am an animal lover for sure but I am also an animal realist and understand when and where animals are manageable and where they don't belong or live well among humans.

[Rockgirl]

Sorry guys, I know they are cute and adorable to watch but squirrels and rabbits cause hundreds of $'s worth of damage to things when they get into your house, exterior siding, sheds, under your garage or in your crawl space or basement.

My DCK's love watching the bunnies too but when they try to nest in your crawl space and chew on the wires under your house, leaving you with no cable or loss of power they aren't so cute. I'm tired of planting and replanting veggies in my garden only to have them eaten by fat gray mama rabbit and her babies. :confused: (yes, we have a fence)

My DH had a squirrel get into our garage and it crawled up into his truck. $3800 of electrical work later and it STILL comes back all the time. Every time my DH hits the brakes in his truck you can hear the stray acorns roll inside the truck frame.
Given the chance will I trap and dispose of him? Absolutely.

I am an animal lover for sure but I am also an animal realist and understand when and where animals are manageable and where they don't belong or live well among humans.

Your dh? I'm sure he didn't mean to let the squirrel into the garage--cut him some slack! ::

[Blackcat31]

Your dh? I'm sure he didn't mean to let the squirrel into the garage--cut him some slack! ::

:: :: Nah, he is way too useful!

If I didn't have him, I would have so many things I'd have to figure out how to manage... pest/rodent control would be one of them. ::

[NightOwl]

That's disgusting! And totally unnecessary. Would you volunteer to dispose of the caught squirrels for her? Take them to a local park or something? I understand they can be pests, but drowning them? I find that to be very cruel and I'm wondering if it's even legal.

[Blackcat31]

It's completely legal in my state. Here is what my DNR (Department of Natural Resources) website says:

"Taking means capturing, relocating or killing a nuisance animal. You can take an animal using any method except poison, artificial lights, or a motor vehicle."

Nuisance animals/birds are:

• mink
• squirrels
• rabbit
• hare
• raccoon
• bobcat
• fox
• muskrat
• opossum
• beaver
• English sparrow
• starling
• common pigeon

"Once you catch the animal, you may choose to destroy or relocate it."

Drowning is often used by those who live in a residential area since discharging a firearm is illegal to do within city limits.