By Kevin McKeown Santa Monica
It saddened me to read Geoff Shackelford’s letter (SMDP, June 3, page 4), “Poison in our parks prompts questions,” in which he described poisoned baby squirrels being attacked by crows in Palisades Park. County health officials insist on killing the squirrels because their fleas have the potential to carry disease.
There is no current outbreak of flea-borne disease in our parks. Last year I attempted to intervene in the County’s “flea abatement” program, and the council joined me in asking Los Angeles County health officials to find a method other than killing the squirrels. After all, if your dog has fleas, you don’t kill your dog.
The poisoning of the squirrels is not only inhumane, it’s ineffective — they have to lay out new poison almost every year. Santa Monica has tried to stop this practice, but it’s time to write to your County supervisors.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 8, 2005. Read the original PDF.