JOHN HALL/VERMONT FISH AND WILDLIFE
Dear Editor,
In today’s world, simple acts of kindness can be hard to find. Even when humans fight each other, we can at least be kind to the innocent animals we share the world with. I am extremely disheartened to see Claremont’s State Senator Ruth Ward has cosponsored a bill to allow the year-round slaughter of gray squirrels. Currently gray squirrels have a hunting season and are protected the rest of the year outside of that season. If this bill passes it means open slaughter with no limits. Senator Ward has long been thought of as an “animal friendly” Republican Senator. A true gem! Unfortunately that title is no longer deserved.
If Senate Bill 548 passes it enables gray squirrels to be no longer listed as game animals, it means they have zero protections. New Hampshire does not outlaw wildlife killing contests, and soon squirrel killing contests will be happening. Mother gray squirrels could be shot on sight by any New Hampshire resident, leaving dependent babies to die a horrible slow death. That would not be a New Hampshire I recognize any longer. I want a state that keeps with the pulse of the people, moving towards compassion for wildlife and trends towards coexistence. I sincerely hope Senator Ward breaks the spell cast over her by her squirrel hating colleagues and finds her compassionate self again. I urge everyone to fight against Senate Bill 548.
— Kristina Snyder, Chester
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