Kill the Squirrels!
In today’s news, the city of Mountain View will start trapping and killing aggressive tree squirrels in Cuesta Park.
Posted on Thu, Sep. 28, 2006
City to kill aggressive tree squirrels
MOVE FOLLOWS ATTACKS ON 4-YEAR-OLD BOY, OTHERS
By Renee Koury
Mercury NewsMountain View will begin trapping and killing aggressive tree squirrels in Cuesta Park following an attack last week on a young boy who was bitten and had to undergo rabies shots.
An official with the state Department of Fish and Game declared the squirrels to be “a threat to continued public safety” after mounting reports in recent months that the squirrels had scratched several visitors and bitten three, including 4-year-old Andrew Packard last week.
“None of us wants to see the kids have to go through this,” said Fish and Game Lt. D.J. Kelly. “He’s going to have nightmares for a long time.”
But the unusual measure is drawing criticism from wildlife lovers.
“The squirrels will be back,” South Bay wildlife rehabilitator Norma Campbell said. “For every one you take out, two more will come in. It could be a never-ending project that isn’t going to accomplish anything. Maybe if people stopped going to the park for a while, that would help.”
Mountain View community services director David Muela said officials first hoped to trap and relocate the animals. But Kelly warned against moving them, saying the city would be liable for any damage the squirrels might cause elsewhere.
So for the next three weeks, a pest control company will set tube-like traps in the trees of Cuesta Park. Captured squirrels will be euthanized “in a humane way,” Muela said, though he could not elaborate.
Kelly said it’s rare for the state to recommend trapping and killing squirrels, which can be a nuisance but are not usually threatening. Their bold behavior in Mountain View stems from years of being fed by park visitors, he said.
City officials have long discouraged feeding of the animals and earlier this year increased park patrols and installed squirrel-proof trash cans.
The squirrels became more bold in their pursuit of handouts.
Cuesta Park squirrels increasingly have been jumping inside baby strollers, opening food bags and even scratching people as they seek a handout.
In last week’s attack, a tree squirrel leaped on 4-year-old Andrew as his mother was unwrapping a muffin. The squirrel wouldn’t let go of the boy, biting and scratching as Andrew ran through the park screaming. The preschooler is undergoing painful rabies shots as a precaution and taking powerful antibiotics for other possible diseases.
The latest attack prompted officials to resort to the trapping, Muela said.
Contact Renee Koury at rkoury@mercurynews.com or (650) 688-7598.