Editor:
I love how conservation officers and their supervisors use the word “habituated” as an excuse to endlessly slaughter our urban wildlife. Conservation Officers are also very “habituated.”
They are very habituated to taking the easy way out and killing the problem. A dead problem is no problem.
You realize, of course, that Len Butler and the Conservation Officer Service killed an innocent mother and her three babies. I am so tired of their disgusting attitude and shooter mentality. When I see a bear or coyote on my property, my heart drops into the pit of my stomach as I realize, barring a miracle, that animal is dead.
In many communities municipalities, along with their conservation officers, have adopted a “no-kill” policy and people have learned to take responsibility for the well-being of themselves, their children and pets.
We can and do in many communities co-habit with urban wildlife. Conservation officers should not be hired killers but advocates for both human and wildlife safety. This means continually educating the public. They should be putting posters up informing what wildlife has been spotted in the area, reminding people not to feed animals and to closely supervise children and pets and so on. This is a much more humane and compassionate exchange. Education not bullets.
We have our lives to enjoy. We live here with other species. They also have a right to live.
Claudette Laffey
Kamloops
