Residents living in Windsor, Ontario have been raising a stink over skunks in their neighbourhood. Although the skunks aren’t causing any real trouble, their smell that has some residents holding their noses.
So, what does the city of Windsor decide? Kill em’.
Yup. Windsor City Council is going to hire a trapper to trap and kill skunks because some people don’t like the smell.
In addition to launching a war on wildlife, this move also goes against the advice of the Ministry of Natural Resources. It could open the city to a lawsuit, and Windsor’s Mayor apparently doesn’t care.
Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis was recently quoted by the CBC as saying, “if the MNR and Ontario want to sue us, then, so be it.”
Bold statements from a Mayor who should really be working to protect the city from such financial risks, considering Windsor’s high unemployment rate and other woes. Not very smart.
Lastly, trapping and killing skunks is not only cruel, it won’t even solve the problem. Within a few months, more skunks will return.
Windsor doesn’t have a skunk problem, it has a people problem.
Instead of killing skunks, Windsor needs to adopt a wildlife strategy to manage attractants such as garbage, dirty recycling bins, excessive pet food left outside, and ticket people who insist on feeding wild animals.
In addition to learning how to manage attractants, residents concerned about skunks and other wildlife should use lattice or chicken wire to close off open spaces under patios or decks.
Please contact Windsor City Council and let them know you oppose their decision to kill the skunks.
Email addresses for Mayer Eddie Francis and Windsor City Council are as follows:
mayoro@city.windsor.on.ca
ddilkens@city.windsor.on.ca
rjones@city.windsor.on.ca
fvalentinis@city.windsor.on.ca
ahalberstadt@city.windsor.on.ca
esleiman@city.windsor.on.ca
joagignac@city.windsor.on.ca
phatfield@city.windsor.on.ca
bmarra@city.windsor.on.ca
hpayne@city.windsor.on.ca
amaghnieh@city.windsor.on.ca