[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by wellard: Far better for PETA to work with the community and suggest basic standards of care for the possum and for both sides to ensure they are met. This would be a far better result than the anvil and sledgehammer to crack a walnut aproach. A small charity to be set up to pay vets fees for the rehabilation of possums hurt by car accidents should help the Karma of one possums destroyed dignity. Or another option would be the use of a pet possum year after year, again in basic standard of care enviroment approved by local vets or animal rights organisation. This method of stong arm tatics just loses local animal rights support [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img]

You're right, wellard - these type of tactics are why PETA is viewed so negatively by so many. I know you support them and I respect that. I also know that they DO - occasionally - still stumble on legitimately serious animal rights violations. I beleive it was Chewbacca that posted a story about PETA intervening on behalf of some research animals at Columbia University not long ago.

But this is literally a case of them being strong arm bullies and actually cutting their nose off to spite their face.

Why? Because the possum that is chosen for the "Possum Drop" easily has the most carefree and comfortable life of any possum in the county for an entire year. They are kept in a safe environment and fed cat food every day. No more struggling for food, no more worrying about becoming roadkill, no more worrying about predators. And all the possum has to do in return is be the star of the show on New Year's Eve...after which, it is release back into the wild to continue it's life as nature intended.

As for the concerns expressed earlier about the possum becoming "less fearful" of humans and coming around their houses more...well, possums aren't very shy about that to begin with. They are well known for scavenging through trash cans or pet food bowls left outside. The only threat they face when doing this is from the owner's pets - if they happen to be dogs.

It just makes me angry that PETA can make a threat like this and ruin a celebration that has been carried on for 13 years. It isn't like they have actually been here to see this "perverse and reckless" practice for themselves. In fact, they would never have known about it if the NY Times had't covered it.

Fortunately, most people can see just how ridiculous their gripe is in this instance...and as you said.....that just undermines what little credibility they have left.