Would you call the police or who about this?

Question

I take my dogs to walk at the park by the river daily. There is a grandpa and two little girls about 5 and 7 who hand feed the squirrels there each morning. I think it is irresponsible and dangerous. It causes the squirrels to approach humans that come to the park and even chase them begging. It puts the little girls at risk of being bitten or scratched and needing rabies shots. What would you do? And who would you turn this into if at all?

I must not see things how you all do. I cringe every time one of them reaches out her hand to a squirrel. One scratch or one accidental nip will send them for a rabies round. It's child neglect. And it's unfair to the other children who play there. The squirrels have become imprinted, so they chase the kids barking and begging for food. They jump on the picnic tables while people sit there. It's just unsafe, an accident waiting to happen to a little kid. They never come near us because I have my dog(s).
No, I don't worry about the ducks and geese. They never send little kids for rounds of rabies shots. And usually they walk away from the kids while the kids throw bread. Kids don't handfeed them very often at all that I have seen.
My dogs are vaccinated, leashed, and domestic. They are not wild animals, feral and unprotected from rabies, so there is no comparison as one suggested.
I must not think like you all do, because I think it is horrible to put a little kid at risk like that.

Answer 1

You can first approach whoever you see feeding them, warn them of the dangers, and if the squirrels are really leaving their habitat, you could contactanimal control, preferably a humane organization...If the people are actually "invading the squirrels territory though, the people need to stay out, the squirrels have a right to it. No matter what though, nobody should be feeding or touching or taunting any of them.

Answer 2

Unfortunately that is just something that will happen anyway, whether or not the grandpa and girls feed them. The squirrels, living in the park, has taught them that people=easy way to get food, and will search it out. From the garbage, some will search your trail for crumbs, and some even stealing from your picnic like Yogi Bear. I live practically in the middle of nowhere and have I've even found one rotten little scoundrel squirrell foraging around in my car, probably having watched a cat climb up through the open window. What I am trying to say is, you can either give willingly, or have the smart little beasties take it from you, and I'd rather give than have another squirrell steal a sandwich right outta my hand. [Happened when I was like five years old, and my brothers still won't let me forget it!]

Answer 3

A lot of people hand feed squirrels.If a person is bitten by a squirrel,the chances of the person developing rabies is nearly impossible.This is because squirrels and other rodents do not commonly contract rabies. If a squirrel or other rodent were to be bitten by another animal with rabies,it would probably die from the bite before it could ever contract rabies.So,I wouldn't worry if I were you,let the little girls have fun with their grandpa.

http://www.medicinenet.com/rabies/page6.htm

Answer 4

Rabies is a possibility and is fatal but,............their squirrels! Not a whole lot of ways a grandparent can spend quality time with their families anymore. Are they the only ones that feed them? I say let them have their fun. If somone gets hurt that might be an appropriate time to notify someone. Start with the police or animal control either one you can't go wrong.

Answer 5

I only see a beautiful scene whereby a grandpa is spending his limited, yet quality time with his grandchildren in the nature. You may educate the children on the consequences for feeding the wild animals. By calling the Police or the authority will only spoilt the beautiful scene.

Answer 6

I would call the fish and game commission ... I'm sure that grandpa and the little girls don't realize that feeding wildlife is a bad idea, but I agree with you that it could be dangerous.

What they're doing isn't a crime, so it probably wouldn't accomplish anything to call the police. Hopefully, the fish and game people could post some "Please Don't Feed Wild Animals" signs.

You could also approach the gentleman yourself and explain what you've said here ... assuming you feel comfortable doing that. He may just not realize that he's putting his granddaughters in danger.

Answer 7

why would you call the cops?? they are with their grandfather and im sure they know the risk-if not he does. have you never fed the squirrells or ducks?? are you gonna call the cops on people feeding the ducks and promoting them to come up to people? i'd call the police on someone i saw trying to hurt an animal- not feed it. (unless food was poisoned of course) you may not like it, but i dont like some of the people that are "allowed" to even have kids, but i have no say so.

Answer 8

Since you take your dog out. Why they cannot feed the squirrels.
Do you think your dog dont had rabies?
You can call the SPCA, then they will take your dog away.

Why you so kapoh?

Maybe your dog chase the squirrels that why lah. LOL

Answer 9

Unfortunately, there is no law against people being irritating...and i think that is all it is. It really does not effect you in any way, does it? Let the guy have one last thrill before he dies...he may be too old to attract woman, so let him attract the squirrels.

Answer 10

I see the reason for your concern but, the truth is unless there is a policy posted that says "Please don't feed the Animals" it really isn't any of your business. One of the most difficult things in life is saving people from their own stupidity. People today must learn everything the hard way....Sad but true.