What I am about to share with you is the kind of work White Buffalo does. If the deer does not die from one shot, they suffocate it by placing a plastic bag over the deer's head. Starting in 2004, White Buffalo was hired to cull deer in the Akron, Ohio area. I have not watched (and never will) the video that is linked to this web page. http://www.sharkonline.org/index.php/akroncruelty-com
The following article appeared in The Blade, a Toledo newspaper, five plus years later http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/11/15/Favored-firm-for-deer-cull-accused-of-cruel-methods.html
In another lawsuit, a woman from Solon, Ohio sued White Buffalo, the city of Solon, and Anthony DiNicola and won. http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/news/stevepokin/pokin-around-if-deer-kill-protestors-cause-delay-the-city/article_23694fc8-836f-5f0d-81ff-4a76f938fa38.html
At the time, Geiger was what you would call an activist. Solon's public works director described her in a different way in a memo he wrote that found its way into the court file. He called her and others "nut cases."I guess that is what I would be called. Nut case.
Has White Buffalo ever worked in a confined space like Mt. Lebanon? Do three of our adjoining lots total five acres or more?
Traci Cardenas, a leader of the Town and Country protest, says her concern is safety. The city has used White Buffalo in the past and required that sharpshooters work on land that is at least 10 contiguous acres. That has now been lowered to five acres, meaning three adjoining property owners with a total of five acres can OK a sharpshooter.
This is an accident waiting to happen. Why subject our residents and our deer to such inhumane activities? Why can't we just do sterilization? It is safer. It is less controversial. There is grant money available. It is a no-brainer.
52 comments:
I oppose these inhumane measures, bags over heads to asphysixiate deer - really?. Is that who we are, really?
C'mon, Mt. Lebanon, we are better that that! This is insane and as much as I don't like PETA maybe they should have a heads-up in this one. it's actually horrifying for this animal lover who supports gun rights and hunting.
Commissioners who would support such behavior suck!
Your calls for sterilization is not safe either. Deer are flight animals and the stress from being caught will kill them. I've tried to treat deer with some very minor injuries only to find the next morning they are dead. Years ago the township looked into trapping the deer and dropped it because they were concerned about the deer dying from the stress.
2:44 do you really think about anything.
You can't sterilize because you might stress out the deer and kill them!
Really? REALLY?
That's so much more humane than shooting them and if your first bullet, which I'm sure the deer just love to get hit with doesn't kill 'em, you cover their head with a plastic bag so they suffocate!
You really are a very special person.
As a part-time hunter, seeing and reading this made me sick to my stomach. It is truly a disgusting human being to pull something like that off. I definitely do NOT want this company anywhere near my neighborhood.
2:44 AM, are you a veterinarian? If not,what business do you have acting like one? It sounds like you killed them. The " township" did not drop the clover traps because they were too traumatic at least inthis neighborhood, it was because the deer are smart and would not enter the trap. Sterilization is done while the deer is anesthetized. Do you think they wrestle them to the ground and expect them to hold still?
Why don't our elected officials do any research before making important decisions like culling or handing out lucrative five year contracts to supers? Google can be a wonderful tool. The media doesn't do anything but report. Why is that?
Elaine
So to clarify, drivers speed through school zones, pot smokers take hits at stop signs, and Mt Lebanon is making the streets safe by suffocating the deer?
There is a new sport for the turf fields going to be installed: Deer Wrestling.
All of the PAYT talk got me to thinking... We can use the "nudge" philosophy to fix the deer issue without a cull.
If we implemented a "fee" on people per non-deer tolerant plant on their property, the deer will eventually move on to better eating grounds.
We could do $5/month for each hosta plant up to $50/month for fruit trees.
We also could put fees in for bird feeders and other items that attract the deer.
We wouldn't be telling people to not have these plants. We would just be encouraging them to not have these plants through artificial market conditions. Then if a cull was necessary, you'd have the money for it.
Commissioners, as you guys are hot for "fees," contact me. I can give you more details on my plan.
How about Pay As You Kill?
Elaine
For clarification, we will be charged a fee for trash. We would not be charged a fee for culling. Should town tax dollars fund this animal cruelty?
If this method was used to kill a dog or cat, the killer would be prosecuted. Commissioners: How are you going to explain this to your children and grandchildren?
Here's an idea:
How about installing a deer guillotine at Mellon, instead of turf?
Public works could butcher them in-place, and serve up the meat at the beer bash on Washington.
How about deer-on-a-spit during First Fridays?
Taxidermy outfits could advertise on the outfield fence.
Antler dust can be sold to professional athletes.
It's a win-win solution for everyone!
"An activist group called Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, or SHARK, contends the deer in the video was killed inhumanely and suffered. It claims the doe was still alive when a park ranger put a plastic bag around her head."
Just to clarify, White Buffalo did not asphyxiate the deer.
Also, for the meat eaters out there, here's hidden cam footage from a farm that supplies the Western PA region with pork: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDiSR0LGry8
But don't worry: your government is on the case! They're busy investigating people who do such filming using the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, a law signed by George W Bush in 2006: http://morallowground.com/2011/12/22/fbi-activists-who-investigate-and-expose-animal-cruelty-on-factory-farms-face-terrorism-prosecution/
PETA: "On October 4, people all over the world will be celebrating the feast day of the Patron Saint of Animals, Saint Francis of Assisi. It's customary that in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures, animals are led to churches for a special ceremony called the "Blessing of the Animals." Every year, millions of animals are blessed by priests in a ceremony that touches the hearts of most of those in attendance"
Except in Mt Lebanon.
Thank you for clarifying that, 12:27 PM. I will not read or watch any of that. I do know that White Buffalo will only take one shot at a deer. I guess, after that, it becomes someone else's problem.
Are you good with everything else they were found guilty of?
Elaine
Are we such snobs and so self-important that we can't share our land with all of God's creatures?
What will be next? Squirrels? Rabbits? Birds? Cats? Dogs?
I would rather watch a doe with her fawns in my yard anytime.
I cant believe our liberal minded Commissioners are backing such a plan.. all because a FEW residents .. i know some of them and they could like to include all barking dogs in the shot...
Any commissioner that votes for this cold-blooded plan should NOT be reelected!
7:40 I'd expand that to any SB Director or Commission that votes for any plan or project without doing a thorough investigation should not be re-elected.
We have the PK fundraiser!
The field sign fiasco!
The stormwater fee!
The Pool Bid!
and the grand daddy of all the ill-concieved and managed projects--- the high school renovation.
Remember this was the project that Remely, Birks, Cappucci, Posti and Kubit told us they expected to come in well under $100 million dollars. They weren't even in the same ballpark!!!!!
And there are people out there that are going to put Birks and Remely back in the game.
If we're going to cull deer in the "empty" parks at night, why don't we kill them on the empty school grounds at night?
A greenspace is a greenspace. School grounds bcan take on a hybrid use due to the acreage vs undeveloped areas vs playgrpund areas.
I hope you can come to the commission meeting on Tuesday. The school board meeting isn't until October 14.
Why wait until election time? Express your concerns at Tuesday's meeting. This is a critical time. Don't wait until November.
Elaine
Maybe we can get John Malkovich to star as a former burned out black water sniper with PTSD to star in our version: "The Culling Fields"
8:48 school grounds are gun and drug free zones.
So if you allowed the cull on the grounds you have many people protesting with two signs.
One would say "Kill deer!"
The other sign would read "Outlaw guns!"
That is how goofy many of these people are.
They're also many of the same people gighting to protect the environment thru recycling then vote for plastic turf that rrplaces real grass and eventually clog landfills!
Is it humane for a deer to die on Castle Shannon Blvd after being hit by a car? It took over an hour and that WAS cruel! And how did all those parents explain that to their kids? I not happy about the cull either but agree with the above about invasive birth control. My brother-in-law is a vet and I'll ask him about the stress risks as far as a deer goes. But wouldn't it be cheaper just to give them some kind of birth control pill? I'm sure my wife and daughter would ask why not just snip the boys... Can the same people who would shoot the deer also be able to dart them with some kind of birth control?
White Buffalo had two phases, if you remember.
Phase One Culling and Sterilization
Phase Two Culling and Sterilization
http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-topic-that-takes-everything-out-of-me.html?m=0
Kelly wants to have the group who does sterilization come to a discussion session, but nobody seems to be listening to her. Remember, there is grant money for sterilization. It is safe, no bullets or arrows flying through the air. It is a nonlethal form of deer management. It is a fair compromise, in my opinion. Everybody wins.
Elaine
C'mon explain it to the kids, are you kidding.
Its the perfect time to explain that that's what'll happen to them if they cross the street without looking.
It tough, its cruel and its life.
You can't protect everybody and everything from bad stuff all the time.
I'd like to hear you explain to your kids how chemical castration or birth control is going to make the deer's life so much more pleasurable.
As for your wife and daughters suggest ask them not snip the females ovaries?
Here's an idea borrowed from the Sports Advisors.
Lets replace the plants the deer are overfeeding on with plastic plants.
Once the deer find out there is nothing good to eat they'll move onto to the greener pastures of USC and South Fayette.
Think of the money that be saved using 11:27s idea.
No culling, no wastful watering, no expensive replantings year after year, no guns, NO SuRVEYS, no clippings and no deer.
i know this is a little off topic but since my Commissioner is leading the charge for eliminating the deer i wanted to further investigate her.. Yes.. she has played at Carnegie Hall.. just ask her.. but what really strikes me after reading her prev posts on various blogs..is that she gets what she wants by bulling herself...in real business she couldnt act that way and get very far...regardless of Party- cant our Ward do better than woman???
Without sounding bitter, because I am not, I ran for commissioner of her ward, 10:30 AM. I got financial and in kind support from a handful of people, so it was a low budget campaign. I never ran against her, as some people think. My party supported someone with a For Sale sign in his yard and made it clear to the media, at least, that he wanted to move far away from here. But that was the past. I didn't go away either.
Yes, our community is being run by people who are pushing their personal agendas. Instead of researching and making rational decisions, our community is being run, not by Democrats or Republicans, but by bullies. I really don't care about an individual's party. I support those who would represent me fairly, who do their homework, and make logical, careful and thoughtful decisions. We have slim pickins here in Lebo.
Elaine
I live in Ward 3 and am thinking about running in 2 years, but I know I won't have the financial support to make a good run at it. Hopefully, I can stick to it and keep running.
The commissioners are bullies. It's about who gets to use how much for what purpose. Whose property gets stolen? Who gets the stolen goods?
That's what elections are about too… and why so much money is spent on them: There's a lot of wealth at stake.
And not just money, but power too. Bossing other people around must be almost as gratifying as stealing their money. And when your group controls a great empire, such as Squander Bubble, you get to boss people around. This must be a great thrill, judging by the number of Commissioners and Squander Board members who are so eager to do it.
If politics in this town was dictated by people with money and the desire for power, then why do we have so many candidates for both the commission and the school board running unopposed? The voting patterns in Mt. Lebanon consistently show that more than 60% of the residents are perfectly content with the status quo. They reflect that by not bothering to vote. On the other hand, those occasional attempts of campaigns of righteous indignation have always gone down in flames.
8:24 AM, you write, "The voting patterns in Mt. Lebanon consistently show that more than 60% of the residents are perfectly content with the status quo." I think 60% represents either contentment or futility. Whatever the reason, we now have a commissioner who spoke with White Buffalo for over an hour on the phone and is willing to push her deer culling agenda, no matter what. She had quite a few people voting for her. Obviously, Ward 3 was not happy with the status quo.
Now we are stuck with a commissioner who smiled at the Candidates Forum while she was saying that we have to kill the deer.
Elaine
8:24 show us your evidence on how you arrived at your numbers, please?
Did you interview every eligible voter? Did you run even a simple poll?
Oh, I know you reached your conclusion by the Ed Kubit method... I've talked to many people and gotten many emails supporting my conclusion. No I won't offer names or hard copy.
A good teacher would fail a paper that doesn't show the students work or supporting evidence, but for your its OK, because well you said its OK.
I believe many voters aren't OK with the status quo. As Elaine said many don't think their vote will change anything so they just don't bother.
We have a situation this election where the results for 5 candidates will win their races whether 1 person votes or there is 100% turnout.
I will vote this cycle so people like you cannot claim 60% are satisfied with the status quo. I'm writing in Larry, Moe, Curly, Shemp and WC Fields.
9:54 AM, Wait! There are only four candidates running for four seats on the school board. No need to vote for WC. And if you live in Ward 2 or 4, you need to vote for a commissioner. Ward 4 only has Dave Brumfield running again. Ward 2 has an R and a D running, so there is a choice in that ward.
Elaine
Yes Elaine, there are 4 unopposed SB candidates and one Ward 4 commissioner running unoppposed. That's 5 candidates.
Ward 2 voters do have a choice, we can only hope they choose wisely.
Which is another topic, have either made their positions known on PAYT, the pool project, deer culling, etc.?
There is a possibility that a dark horse write incandidate could emerge between now and Election Day for SB and Ward 4, but that is almost certainly not going to happen.
Damion, if you happen to go to Tuesday's meeting, I would like to meet you. I'll be the one with the recorder.
Elaine
Elaine, I won't be able to make it this Tuesday but I'm hoping to get there for the 28th. I have a few important projects going out this week at work, so I have to work late. When I go, I will certainly introduce myself.
This is on PETA's website:
REPORT CRUELTY
If you have a general question for PETA and would like a response, please e-mail Info@peta.org. If you need to report cruelty to an animal, please click here. If you are reporting an animal in imminent danger and know where to find the animal and if the abuse is taking place right now, please call your local police department. If the police are unresponsive, please call PETA immediately at 757-622-7382 and press 2.
Princeton, NJ is considering using White Buffalo to cull some its coyotes. However, the shootings will be limited to open fields and wooded areas during hunting season at night.
So where are these places in Mt Lebanon?
What's the size comparison to Princeton?
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/10/princeton_advisory_committee_recommends_council_approve_coyote_culling.html
I cannot believe that I just read this about what contracted hunters, like White Buffalo, do when they are culling in densely populated area:
(from http://tinyurl.com/l3a6835)
"He said a contractor would probably not use the net and bolt method, in which deer are trapped deer in nets and killed at point-blank range with a bolt gun. The method has been used in areas where development is too dense to meet the state’s (NJ) minimum safety standards for hunting or sharpshooting."
Pay as You Vomit that you may live in a town that employs these techniques instead of lowering and enforcing speed limits, encouraging fences for gardening and teaching people how to tolerate animals.
Somebody needs to invite PETA to the Commissioner's meeting.
What is the number of deer road kill in Mt Lebanon for 2012? If that data isn't public, they shouldn't even be talking about this issue.
The marksmen from White Buffalo "prepare a site several weeks ahead of time, placing bait daily in safe locations, using infrared detectors on deer trails to record the hour when they pass, and then shooting from tree platforms or from trucks when they pull up to a baited site. They almost invariably kill each deer with a single shot to the head".
Also, "in stats that allow silencers on rifles, the team uses them to prevent a herd from scattering as each deer falls and to avoid disturbing residents".
If this isn't cruel to animals, I don't know what is.
Please be sure to email all the commissioners as some are known to suffer from amnesia when receiving email that counters their personal agendas. The same ones claim they do not read the blog.
Elaine
7:11 the deer issue has nothing to with deer being killed by cars or citizens and pets being assualted by rampaging deer.
It about protecting a few individuals gardens and ornamental plants.
Its like the logic one cull proponent used here.
We can't trap and sterilize the deer because they - oh my gosh - they might die from the stress... But it is OK to make sure they die by putting a bullet or two into them.
No stress there... rrriiiiigghhhtttt.
There will be a mighty protest here in Mt Lebanon is White Buffalo sets up camp in our parks.
White Buffalo shows up late for discussion meeting and commissioners hold up citizens waiting for hours to make comments at commission meeting. In August, White Buffalo can't be reached because Tony is on an island off of Virginia and his cell isn't working.
It's time to MOVE ON. White Buffalo can't even hold up their meeting obligations and we want to hire them as snipers in our neighborhoods?
10:24 AM, I can't believe I am defending White Buffalo, but the representative was there waiting when I arrived at 6:15 PM. My complaint is that "the big guy" Anthony DeNicola was not the speaker. The Discussion Session agenda listed a wildlife biologist with White Buffalo was scheduled. Mr. Maddock, didn't catch his first name, clarified that he was not a biologist, but a technician.
Kelly Fraasch asked the difficult question about the plastic bag smothering a deer video. Mr. Maddock had heard about the video but never saw it. He claimed that the deer was dead and that the legs were moving because of a reflex. At that point, I walked out of the room.
Elaine
I called PETA. I will send Elaine an update when I get it.
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