I have thought about this. The story as described, does not seem to be a
nonsensical charge, even if it is weird to lay such a charge against the
person who could be considered by us as the good guy. I agree that surely
Wildlife Officers have far better things to do with their time. There is
little doubt that the attempt by this person to rescue the bird would
prolong its stress and suffering. This is not good. Should this then be
punished? Should an example be made to argue that both activities of
shooting and attempting rescue, when there is little prospect of success are
(equal?) affronts against animal welfare. The defence argument is about how
good is it on animal welfare principles to leave an injured animal to
suffer. Of course the shooting is the cause of the problem and thus quite
weird to blame a rescuer. However given that the shooting had already
happened, I don't know what the alternative is. I understand that a rescuer
would be motivated by a wish to pick up a wounded duck to take it to a vet
for treatment. But how practical and realistic is that? It depends on the
nature of the injury. What happens to the bird then?
I wonder at the "The hunter didn't attempt to retrieve it." Could that have
been due to wishing to avoid confrontation with a nearby person of the
opposite viewpoint? Of course the bad part of the story is the whole
phenomenon of shooting at wild things for fun or maybe even food. I feel
that should be the illegal part. Then again how self righteous should I be,
when I as a customer, support an industry that non randomly treats chickens
far worse.
The story finishes with: "The matter will return to court on August 13."
Hopefully, with the point having been made, it will be dismissed.
Philip Veerman
24 Castley Circuit
Kambah ACT 2902
02 - 62314041
-----Original Message-----From:
On Behalf Of Wendy
Sent: Wednesday, 14 March 2012 1:11 AM To: birding-aus Subject: Re:
[Birding-Aus] Duck rescuer on nonsensical charge
Thanks Debbie,
I heard the item, a couple of times, on ABC Radio National news today.
What total BS charges!!
I would have thought Wildlife Officers had far better things to do with
their time.
I could not get any (or Rangers) to come or do anything, despite many
frantic phone calls, when I sprung a couple of FnBs destroying habitat and
collecting reptiles in a nr Melbourne F&F Reserve some years back. Wendy
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