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Darrell Gulin / Corbis file
A flock of dunlin stand on a Washington state beach in 1990.
Nearly 100 shorebirds were killed when a vehicle was driven into a flock on a beach in southwest Washington state, NBC station KING of Seattle reported.
Wildlife officers and sheriff's deputies who were called to the scene Thursday afternoon found 92 dunlin dead on Long Beach. The Wildlife Center of the North Coast said the trauma was consistent with a collision with a motor vehicle, KING reported.
Seabirds and shorebirds are protected by law. Wildlife officers have shown that a vehicle must be traveling much faster than the posted 25-mph speed limit on the beach in order to hit these types of birds, KING said.
The dunlin is a type of sandpiper known for large flocks that exhibit swift, synchronized flights and can hit speeds up to 110 mph, according to the Audubon Society website.
A $500 reward was offered by Wildlife Center of the North Coast for information leading to the person who hit the birds. Information can be reported to Sgt. Dan Chadwick of the state Fish and Wildlife police at 360-581-3337, KING said.
This article is based on reporting by Susan Wyatt of KING 5 News.
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Leave a Comment:
This just makes me ill, what is wrong with people that would do such a thing to another living thing?
What is wrong is a genetic defect that needs to be taken out of the gene pool. Luckily for law enforcement and conservation officers these 'types' are often blabbermouths and will boast about their contributions to society to their similarly genetically deficient cronies. I hope that he or she gets ratted out.
How mentally defective does someone have to be, 92 defenseless birds killed by some idiot getting their jollies, this was intentional. What would go through someones mind to make them do this, how can this make someone feel good or proud. Unfortunately the punishment will not fit the crime. Highly unlikely this is their first act of viciousness, what will be their last?
Just another idiot with a total lack of respect or concern for living things. These people were probably drunk and could care less who they hurt. Imagine them being on the road with other drivers. I just hope they catch these jerks and cowards.
Christ! A $500 reward?!?!?! They aren't too serious about it are they? Take that $500 and turn it into a $5000 reward, get some action then hang this fool by their thumbs from the county pier as an example to others that total disregard for life, whether animal or human, is not permissible in our society. Senseless killing like this is a crime to nature.
may be there was fog...the driver didn't see the birds...and the birds didn't see the vehicle...and they flew into it...going 110 mph...regardless be on the look out... for a vehicle covered in bird crap...
I hope they're caught soon. Its just a matter of time before he or she wants to run over a dog or a kid.
In this economy, they may turn themselves in for the reward.
Im sure my post will be collapsed but it speaks a lto of truth. I wonder the same thing as you all when it comes to protected our unborn children. They are living things as well. Yes this maybe off topic, and derailing, but when i see people come on here and talk about life and killing living things, I often wonder how they feel about chopping an unborn baby into little pieces . I bet most on here have a double standard. They wont see anything wrong with that but someone driving into birds is wrong.
There was an article on Yahoo yesterday about a Clemson student doing a study to try to make the roads safer for a species of endangered turtle in the area he lived in. So he got an orange rubber turtle and put it on a road to see if it was simply a matter of people not seeing the turtles and accidentally running over them--I believe his thought was that if they made 'Watch for Turtles' signs and posted them by the side of the road people would be more careful while driving.
In one hour seven people deliberately swerved over the center lane from the opposite direction just to run the rubber turtle over. One third of the people traveling in the lane the turtle was sitting in ran over it. Only one person stopped, got out of the car, and tried to pick up the turtle and put it over by the other side of the road where it wouldn't get hit.
The student went to his psych professor with those results--he was amazed that people would deliberately try to hit such a defenseless creature as a turtle.
Me--I am a longtime volunteer at an inner-city municipal animal shelter, also used to dispatch for Animal Enforcement Officers and worked as a VDHB case recorder (Vicious Dog Hearing Board). I've seen everything from dogfighters to someone who locked a litter of newborn puppies in a metal safe on a 107 degree day and left the safe out for the trashman to take to a mentally-ill guy who molested hs pug. Seriously, nothing humans do to animals really surprises me anymore.
Considering what humans do to other humans does that really suprise you!
@Marmaduke49
What do you expect? Libtards are infamous for their double standards. The reality is most tree huggers simply hate humans and want to impede economic growth and human progress as much as possible.
Americans have lost their respect and reverance for....anything! We are known worldwide as a country of bullies, because we tolerate it in the office, at school, in the marketplace, in making wars, and at home.
Fixing it begins with each of us taking a long look in the mirror and at how we treat ourselves and all other living things.
A $500.00 reward offer is not enough for this type crime. I would be willing to contribute to the amount of reward to catch those responsible for this senseless killing of harmless birds as I am sure others would be willing to do the same!
GM Mimi
LOL - Spot on with the probability the violators will turn themselves in or at least have a friend do it - so they can reap the monetary reward - if the Reward of $500 and the price is right!
Amanda, this doesn't surprise me a bit, which is why I'm so glad I'm at the end of my life rather than just starting out. You're going to be, as a caring, sensitive human, in the distinct minority. We had a brief brush with relative civility as a nation and it was nice while it lasted, but the barbarians have taken over.
Pine Barrens:
It really shouldn't, but attacking another human--a rational, logical, sentient individual with the capability of defending oneself is one thing. Doing so to a defenseless, non-sentient, non-self-aware independent animal is something else entirely--it requires a whole different mindset, an entirely different way of thinking, to do so.
Mikesfriend:
I wouldn't say the barbarians have taken over-- that's kind of a pessimistic view, though I don't know what your life's experiences have been like so I can't judge. I am glad I'm at a point in my life when I can make a difference. Each day I try to make a difference in someone's life, for the better. I've been through some really dark points in my life, there were times when I wondered if there was any good in humanity at all--but what those experiences taught me was how to try to find the good in everyone. I cannot expect others to show the best of themselves if I myself don't show the best of me.
And yeah, it's extremely hard sometimes (it was extremely hard to treat a deportation camp guard with courtesy and civilty, hard to remember to say please and thank you, especially after one of his body cavity searches) but if we want to see change in this world we have to live it. Only then can we be an example for our children and expect them to grow up into decent, honorable, respectful, compassionate people.
You're a better person than I.
Pretty $hitty thing for somebody to do on purpose. But if, being frustrated because of humankind's impact on the earth, the birds became depressed and committed suicide; this driver will never be able to prove it.
Follow the feathers flying off the car.
Mikesfriend:
I am, inherently, no better or worse a person than you yourself are, or anyone else in this world. We are all the sum total of our experiences, which form our opinion and give us different worldviews. I simply have had a different set experiences to draw from. And even if you had gone through the same life I have, you would still likely have a different mindset because you and I would have different ways of reacting to certain circumstances.
My belief system says 'There is no one true way'. The way you find may only be good for you, and not for anyone else, because what you perceive as 'truth' may not be what anyone else perceives as their 'truth', so you simply accept it and live your life the best way you can, and you become the example you want to make. The deportation camp guard I spoke of in my last post was absolutely HORRIBLE to all of us girls when I got there--by the time I was finally released three years later he'd managed to become almost decent and no longer left us bleeding after the searches--and stopped bragging about how he used to beat his ex-wife. Do I know if he changed because of my actions? No, but neither do I know that my actions did NOT affect him at all. I prefer to take it as an encouraging sign--if I act with civility and honor, others will respond to that.
I realize that's pretty heavy philosophy for early on a Sunday morning...!
Sarcasticus:
I hope your comment was sarcastic, but in case it wasn't, let me explain--animals don't have a cerebral cortex with which to think and come to the realization that they are self-aware--sentience and sapience are what separate us from them. An animal, particularly a bird, is physiologically incapable of the higher brain function that would allow it to make a conscious decision to quit its existence.
That is, after all, where the term 'birdbrain' came from...someone who doesn't think.
"Be the change you want to see in this world." -Mahatma Gandhi
wish...92 dead birds was America's only worry...ya'll have a good sunday...
@Marmaduke49
What do you expect? Libtards are infamous for their double standards
Wow, name-calling, a great way to look authoritative and win people over to your side.
The reality is most tree huggers simply hate humans
No, they only hate the ignorant ones.
I guess guys like Flatiron and Marmaduke would be experts on double standards and being hypocrites, as it takes one to know one. Funny how so many people who are "pro-life" are the same people who are so eager to fight wars, execute people, and allow homeless people die in the streets and justify it by saying "Well, if they weren't too damn lazy to work they wouldn't be in that situation." Sorry but being pro-life doesn't mean anything if you don't continue to stand up for the quality of life for people after they're born. I thought being pro-life meant defending all life, regardless of whether the other guy is a criminal or has the same skin color, same socioeconomic status, or same religion as you do. Now that is a double standard.
@ FlatIron- how stupid was your mother to have given birth to such a defective P.O.S?
Or are just another conservative sociopath like the rest?
Go eat a gun!
Americans are so f'd up. No wonder other countries hate us. "Pigs" IS an appropriate word.
I have to disagree, look at my avatar, though she is not capable of making a conscious decision to quit her existence(a lousy yardstick to use) she is very smart, African Grey's are arguably the smartest bird around and are head and shoulders above most other birds, Dr. Irene Pepperberg accomplished amazing things and proved that Grey's are capable of cognitive thought. They have have been proven to have the intelligence of a 4 year old and the emotions of a 2 year old. Yes they can be a real pain in the a$$ sometimes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_%28parrot%29
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO6XuVlcEO4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_Fpad20Zbk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2j1jOwAYU
marmaduke - spot on.
"In this economy, they may turn themselves in for the reward."
LMAO Sreminmimi!!!!!!!!! GM, and thanks for the early morning laugh!
I'd happily rat the culprit out for free. Unfortunately I don't have the info they need. I really want this sphincterhead caught.
The priority to find this person should be high. This is the potential mass killer. Society needs to react to clear signs when presented. Don't blame guns or the vehicle, blame the person. This person is sick.
Actually I hate war. I served in the Marine Corp. I never had to kill anyone, and glad that I didnt. I dont believe going into another country and getting into their affairs. Even if that country is a risk to us. Let what ever country attack us first, then we go in and lay waste after we been attacked.
I am against death penalty. There is no crime that can be done in this world that desrves death. Even if someone brutally killed my parents , raped and killed my sister, and chopped my brother into pieces, even then I would not wish the death penalty for that person. If anything I would hope they truly ask God for forgiveness . Of course I will hate the person, but I still wish their soul to be saved.
Most of our homeless are in that position due to endless reasons. Some want to be that way. Mental disorders, drug addictions, yes some are lazy. Some are picky in what job they would take. Even if we had a program that took care of every single homeless, ( like george carlin said about golf courses and how much land they take up. ) if you took all that land and made it into housing, then there will be people who will look for the free hand me outs. Our society is sick, and corrupt. People on unemployment need to be drug tested and also NOT given more money for the more kids they keep having. I dont get raises from my job for every kid I have, why should someone on unemployment get more money for having kids ? Its a broken system.
Marmaduke49.....god did not care to save these little creatures ....keep praying...see if it helps....
in the last couple of months:
- a guy shot up two classrooms of 1st graders
- people are running over large flocks of birds on the beach
- a 10 year old boy shot a 7yo girl on a bus and her father committed suicide
- a convicted murderer shot two firefighters
- a 23 yo woman in India got on a bus when coming home from the movies with her boyfriend, and it was actually a rape trap where 6 guys raped her, beat both of them and penetrated her with iron bars, then left them on the road to die
- literally thousands of other violent crimes
we are a violent species, end of story..... it's sad and uncontrollable and true...
the only way it will truly change is leadership... people who care and make an example for behavior and are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to defend themselves and others
in the US there have been huge strides in violent crime in the last 10 years..... but we clearly have a long way to go....
Why is nothing being done about the THOUSANDS of eagles & MILLIONS of migratory birds killed by wind turbines every year?
Why do you feel he needs to ? Kind of takes away the idea of free will ? The ability to freely love - hate, accept , deny, good , evil concept eh ?
Also who said praying doesnt do anything ? God answers some right away, and some later on, and then some not at all. If God does exist, who would any of be so bold to know why God does or doesnt do things ? He does what he does..
WE HAD A DEAL!
A couple possible outcomes from this:
1. The idiots get arrested, tried, and penalized (hopefully).
2. All vehicles end up being banned from the beach.
Those that drive on the beach have walked a very slim line of being prohibited from doing so. This could be the example used by the anti beach driving groups.
I can picture the moron doing this saying "hold my beer and watch this" I cannot picture this moron saying "hold onto the joint and watch this" this individual is most distasteful, I do have a 9mm solution, no wait that is the same, he should be exposed and shamed
I agree with the people that think $500 isn't much of a reward. That was my first thought as well, and my second thought was that if I had any extra money I would've gladly contributed to an additional reward just to catch these punk ass kids that did this. I can just picture a bunch of college kids in a Jeep, drinking Bud cans, yelling, "Wooooooh", while they ran over all those birds. And they're probably still laughing about it.
I was young and stupid once too, but I'd never do something as heartless as that! What is with this generation of kids? They have no respect for anything or anyone.
Way late, but never do this, Anonamoose1. You're suspended for a week for violating #1 of the Code of Honor. Don't encourage other users to kill themselves.
A big old 'doobie' and a drive on the beach.
Not a chance (35 years experience). You?
no dude...alcohol not a doobie. and stupidity, peer pressure and a vehicle I bet they were given.
Doobies don't turn you evil but a drunk dip sh!t can go evil in an instant.
The only thing a doobie on the beach would make you do after seeing the birds is think of food. Then for some unknown reason your car would drive it self to McDonalds and order you some Chicken McNuggets.
My vehicles were broken into to twice and my home was broken into once by people looking to steal things so they could pawn them off and go buy ....wait for it...Pot.
So I guess you are telling me that burglary,theft and criminal mischief are not evil!
And yes even if pot was legal they would still have committed their crimes because they did not have any money because they were deadbeats that have never worked a day in their lives
.. think it is more then just 'in the barrens' ... meth heads lie constantly to make themselves seem out for lesser crimes. maybe you should include more of this fiction ...
Did the perps tell you this or are you just guessing?
LostInThePineBarrens
I can see your example being true if the criminals were 12 year old's.
I'm betting they didn't want to admit to stronger drugs, a more likely scenario. If they do that there is pressure to give up contacts and the police push for a stronger sentence. It's called self preservation. Sort of like the DUI that says he only had 2 beers.
We need to ban all vehicles from everyone so this can never happen again. How many would have been killed if we all had to walk!
This has to end.
I agree with bump and run. Ban all vehicles; however, I'd be dead if I had to walk everywhere!
idiot ... guns have no other use than to kill
Steve ... You are about the lamest person I have seen post on here . How anyone can be so ignorant to what goes on around them in life if far beyond my grasp . Tell some of the Olympic medalists that they are only killers . What is wrong with you . Are you really that uninformed ? Tell the skeet and trap shooters they are also killers . The list goes on .. You need to get out of in front of your computer and taste some real life before making statement because it makes you look so stupid .
Steve has the most intelligent post in this messed up cluster of teaparty babble.
Vehicles are made to transport people and goods. That's their only purpose.
Guns are manufactured to kill. That's their only purpose.
Doesn't take much intelligence to understand what Steve is saying. 2 year olds and teapartiers lack the comprehension skills to grasp those facts.
I used to be a Steve. Then I decided that Steve was a dumb name for dumb people. So I changed it.
some people never been to a skeet shoot or a nascar event...ya'll need to get out more...on second thought maybe not...
Steve is the idiot here. There are a lot of uses for guns that don't involve killing. We use them here in Colorado to break up high mountain snowbanks that could turn into avalanches and kill people. I am also a competition trap shooter. Ooh, that's maybe bad since I kill clay pidgeons. Could be bad killing paper targets with my rifles. Don't forget the steel silhouettes I kill with my pistols. Other assorted targets with my muzzleloaders. BTW, I am also a hunter who helps feed my family with guns. In that respect, YES, they do kill. But nothing is killed unless it is eaten. Before you harp on me about that one, I'll bet you don't eat your KFC while it is still alive. Those chickens are killed by the millions for nothing but monetary gain.
As for Penelope, By your logic, Ban mousetraps, they have one pourpose, to kill. Ban bug spray, ban flyswats, ban bug zappers, ban all poisons, ban antibiotics, they all have only one pourpose, TO KILL. While you are getting infested with mice, mosquitos, flies, rats, deadly microbes, etc, I will keep on killing and surviving.
Banning guns is stupid. Not controlling guns is stupid. Turning an article on scum who kill birds for kicks (possibly! with no other evidence it could have been many a possible scenerio and only stupid people would jump to conclusions of guilt before all the facts are in so none of us want to be doing that I imagine ..) into a political personal screech far off topic (and there-fore ignoring this act of posible nongun violence!) is also very stupid.
Gun Control yes, slashing the Constitution out of personal fear, all the more reason to always say no. And folks be talking about how Congress can't find the middle ground of a topic of national interest ...
Lore, you are right, I did go off base here. I do have to say in my defense though, I get very agitated at the antis when it comes to the gun issues. I tend to "unload" when I see this kind of stupidity. There needs to be some controll but not outright bans on all weapons as some would want to see happen. Our guns have played and still play a huge part to help us to remain a free nation. I will stop ranting now. As for the birds, it could have been a drunk driver, fog, pure malicious act, or any of a number of scenarios. I have hit a couple of birds in the past when they flew across the road and one deer but these were pure accidents. I took the deer home and processed it for the meat after filing report and getting permit from state. I don't like seeing this kind of wanton waste. In any case the driver should be fined, whether for drunk driving, reckless wanton acts, or even for not reporting if it was an accident. If it was truly an accident, I believe it would have been reported. This leads me to believe it was some type of illegal act.
That deviation comment was mainly at steve for being over literal on a punnish and to the thread starter for beginning an off topic schtik to get some attention. Yu actually stayed on the topic the initial poster started Cherokee! '-)
As the possibility of an accidental scenerio, there are also good reasons (to the person commiting this incident) to hide it, out in daddy's car, someone out with friends they are not supposed to be with, young teenagers legal to drive but full of holiday angst and not quite mature enough to understand responsibility for their actions and fearing little toys may be taken away to someone in mortified shame who is still at home beating themselves over it. The likelihood of it being an innocent issue such as that is slim but possible, but, slim!
Have a good one Cherokee.
Maybe I meant punish! Dang, whichever one is not, "Your in trouble now mister!", and is more, "ha a play on words is it!".
These are the types you make an example of when they're caught !! Makes you wonder what type of parents they grew up with ....!!!!!
yes i think they deserve to die and i hope they burn in hell!
Meanwhiel, 500 humans died for (fill in the blank)
Where is the outrage for all of the migratory birds and and other endangered birds killed daily by windmill farms?
slo: Intent?
Environmentalists have been attempting to close all vehicular activity on the beaches in Washington for 15 years. The last try was only 10 months ago. Perhaps we should look to who really hit the gas pedal. bet you it comes back to one of the environmentalists who knows this will increase public sentiment for their cause. I know Howard. You probably think I spend too much time behind my computer too. I do agree that the culprit should be hit hard for the crime. Just look forward to seeing who it turns out to be. Beaches and cars have been a hot button in Washington for years.
Slodon, tree hugging liberals tend to ignore that.
"Tree hugging liberals" tend to ignore that because cats (hundreds of millions per year), power lines (130-170 million), windows (100 million), pesticides (70 million), and automobiles (60-80 million) kill more than wind turbines (10,000 to 40,000)......
You really should stop using the NRA method of statistical book keeping.....
The chief .. I do not know if it is from being behind the PC too much but it is a clear sign that one possibly suffers from a severe conspiracy disorder.
Dont birds usually fly off when cars are near them?
sometimes they aren't into...Defying Gravity...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2YVzrdpj2A
According to the article, these birds fly at 110 mph. This car had to have been going faster than that to have hit that many. This was deliberate and intentional.
Amanda, The birds can fly at speeds up to 110 mph, That is when they are already in flight , When they are at high altitudes and flying downward, When they take off they are flying much slower, Just like a car that starts at take off can not be doing 110 mph instantly the birds need to gain momentum first, The speed limit is posted at 25 mph so that the birds have a chance to get out of the way, That would mean that they probably can safely get out of the way of a vehicle going 30-35mph but 25 gives them a safety zone.
it says ;; swift synchronized flight speeds up to 110 mph...the birds may have flow into the vehicle in a heavy fog...they didn't say anything bout weather conditions...i hope nobody did it on purpose...but that's very possible...
Amanda who the hell is going to drive more than 110mph through sand without losing control? And your story earlier about the guy putting a rubber turtle in the road test? They should of arrested him for putting out a road obstruction that could potentially cause a fatal wreck! Hitting a flock of birds is not news. This country is going straight to hell because of politically correct right wingers. Next we'll read a story about how a garbage truck mowed over a flock of endangered rats...
Pine barrens:
True, takeoff speeds are much slower. But then, according to the information in your post, the car would have had to be doing more than 25--the posted speed limit--to hit that many. Therefore that individual was also speeding--and thereby breaking the law.
car 56:
The student who put the rubber turtle in the road was a student conducting a research project on a Carolina rural road and there were other lanes of traffic which the drivers could have used to detour around the orange rubber turtle. It could not be construed as a traffic obstacle in any way and no harm would come to any living thing when it was run over.
Hitting a flock of birds might not be news where you live, but as I understand there has been some controversy in WA state about letting non-emergency vehicles drive on the beach at all, this would highlight the fact that vehicles on the sand should be banned--what if there had been a wildlife researcher feeding these birds on the sand to study them at the same time and gotten hit?
Feeding shore birds is against the law where I come from.
Technically, in our municipality it's against the law for civilians too--you don't want to get the wildlife accustomed to seeing people as the source of food. But you will still have the kid whose parents give them bread to throw to geese and swans--and get hysterical when said wildfowl attacks their child because they perceive the child as a source of food.
And I don't know what laws would apply to wildlife photographers or animal researchers who want to lure an animal close enough to get a picture of it or study it. You see it all the time on nature documentaries--putting food, or a decoy, or something of that nature, out to lure a wild animal to where you can get a picture of it. Hunters put out salt licks or deer corn or deer-in-heat urine to lure them in, duck hunters use duck calls and decoys, researchers studying sharks chum the water to lure the sharks in to study them, crab fishermen put bait in crab pots to lure the crab into the trap.
Can someone please explain to my why cars are still allowed on WA beaches? This is such an archiac allowance. Not only do they kill animals, including helpless seal pups, they leave behind chemicals. There is no reason why non-essential vehicles should be allowed to drive and park on the beach. We have made such great strides in trying to protect the environment, so why is such a blatant environmental hazard still allowed?
@Amanda:
Your logic about the turtle not presenting a danger is horribly flawed. When old Billy Bob swerves to intentionally hit that turtle then flips his monster truck ten times and breaks his neck, Clemson better be ready to defend one GIANT lawsuit. Trust me on this one. As much as I appreciate the study and find the results disturbing, the student's advisor should be slapped for ever allowing such a study. Good grief, there are some idiot professors out there.
@Zen2010 and all others that want to ban vehicals on the beach - I actually prefer to drive my car on the beach, rather than push my 55 year old Mom's wheelchair through hundreds of feet of sand, just so she can be close to the grandkids to watch them play in the water. I'd rather not carry her. And parking near the water's edge makes walking to my vehicle barefooted a lot easier than walking barefoot on the hot asphalt after taking off my shoes because of all the sand.
Why ban the disabled for the acts of the stupid? How many people drive on the beaches every year, and how many times can you count accidents like this bird one? It's like banning all knives in your kitchen because ONE TIME you cut yourself.
"Archiac", animal killer, chemical residue - I suppose that you live off the grid and use only natural products, never have anything delivered by a vehicle, don't use electricity to power anything - oh wait, you are using some sort of electricity to run your mouth on the computer....be careful with those butter knives. I heard a radio DJ talk about how he cut his tongue licking the pb off the knife after making his sandwich....
I always hated the "do as I say, not as I do" crowd....
What kind of reward is $500. The SPCA offers more than that for finding cat killers. I guess these birds just don't mean that much to the people of Washington. If they want to catch the a $$ whole that did this they need to offer a serious reward to tempt people to turn them in to police.
I'd turn them in for free, some things are not about money.
Amen! But when this scumbag is caught they will probably get a stern lecture and set free. It costs too much to keep them locked up. Maybe we will get lucky and they will "blow a Bowl" and end up on the "rocks".
Likely a fine and community service, if that. The laws on animal cruelty are too lax.
Actually here in NJ the laws and subsequent penalties for animal cruelty usually wind up being more severe than for people who commit crimes against other people.
It would depend on the laws in the community where you live, I would guess. In my municipality this would be a light fine and a few hours of community service (if that.) But then, in my expereince, almost all animal cruelty charges are also in conjunction with something else--gang activity, drug activity, domestic violence charges or some kind of law breaking, and the animal cruelty charges get lost in the slew of other charges, so the impression that the crime isn't taken seriously could stem from those experiences.
And crimes against wildlife are on a somewhat different level than crimes against domestic animals, mostly because such crimes against domestic pets can be indicators of progressing psychopathy that could develop into serial killers. Practically all the serial killers ever studied by criminal psychologists started out with cats and dogs before they 'graduated' to people.
ANTISTUPID: Some things are not about money? ? ? Last I heard "Rewards" involved giving something of value and it's so nice to know you would turn the perpetrator in for free but that kind of borders on stupid since you have no idea who it might be. Any friend who may have knowledge is unlikely to turn in their buddy for $500. Rather than insert your self in the situation and acting stupid, why not look at things realistically and see that catching these people is the priority and a significant amount of reward money could indeed lead to their arrest. The wildlife in this country is priceless and their numbers are dwindling rapidly so apprehending the slaughter culprit would go a long way sending a message that we don't tolerate such acts. You would be surprised at the number of tips that would come in if the reward were $5000 instead of $500. A very small price to pay considering the value of what we lost.
Sorry I hit the vote button instead of reply, so you did not get my vote. To break it down to a simple but understandable level for you, obviously I don't know who did it specially since I am in Florida. However if I was there or it happened here, and I knew who did it, I would turn them in regardless of the reward. If it was a friend of mine, I would no longer want them as a friend, I choose not to have scumbags as friends, this would not be acceptable behavior from someone I call friend. I do not accept people guilty of animal cruelty in my circle of friends. You obviously place money above all else, and for you to do the right thing, it appears that money is a prerequisite, glad you are not my friend.
LMFAO, I did this once in a parking lot in Houston, but it was pigeons. I was very remorseful afterwards, when I had to clean the pigion feather out of my grillwork. I blame it on the movies....I mean I thoght the birds would fly out of my path...they did it with the airplane in "Out of Africa" didn't they? How was I supposed to know they were just going to stand their and let my Michelins turn them into grease spots? Makes a good case for Darwin's theory.
kha: Explain to me about the "FA" part. Who......Bob Darwin?
What a complete idiot. What a very ignorant thing to say. If you are so dumb. Please do the planet earth a favor and re-inact the last scene from the movie "Thelma & Louise"
Some animals will freeze when they get into a panic or a situation like this. Then they become easy prey. Birds may not necessarily fly out of the way, especially pigeons--pigeons are used to seeing people as a source of food. They eat out of our garbage cans, the food people drop, and people who spread out birdseed for birds. Gone are the days when citydwellers kept pigeons in coops to eat in lean times, gone are the days of pigeon pie and homeless people who trapped and ate pigeons when there was nothing else available. The pigeons have forgotten that people can be very dangerous and they simply have no framework for how to react when someone comes barrelling down on them in a motor vehicle.
I volunteer at a inner-city animal shelter, and we get people (usually well-meaning children) who bring in injured wildfowl all the time. Usually it's pigeons or a baby bird that fell out of a nest. Occasionally a seagull. Not uncommon to get in a goose or duck hit by a car. Very rarely it's something more exotic; hawks, and as turkey vultures are making a comeback in our region, once it was a turkey vulture. (It tried to take this guy's daughter's 2 lb Chihuahua puppy and he shot it with an arrow, broke a wing, when he saw what it was he brought it in begging us not to get him in trouble because he'd never ever seen one of these huge birds before, and didn't know they were endangered until he got it on the ground and looked it up.)
I recommend for everyone who lives in an area where humans coexist with wildlife that you do some research and find out what kinds of wildlife live in your area, what is native, what is not, and what is endangered. And respect all life.
Amanda, I still say you are unique to humanity. But as such, you've given me somewhat of an uplifting mindset on this snowy Sunday morning. Now someone is going to respond by calling me a moron and I'll be right back where I was....Gotta go now. May you live a good long life.
What other people say or think of you doesn't matter. As long as you can wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, and like the person you see there...that, in the end, is the only thing that matters.
Look for the best in people, always.
Have a good day!
In order for this to be a darwin issue you would have to have done it on your feet not in a machine, however, if you want to allow for non-natural elements then you must admit you are no better off then the birds you 'claim' you ran over unless you think you too would have survived it. I wont say you should, but trial and error are the only ways a science minded individual, like Darwin, can claim a valid proof.
Unfortunately, WA has always allowed cars to be driven on beaches. As a result, the waterline of most WA state beaches resembles a LA freeway. It's not safe for any living creature, including people who would like to walk along the beach or play in the water. Please do the beach-goers of WA, both locals and tourists, a favor: stop patronizing WA state beaches. Maybe if enough beach town businesses go bankrupt, sufficient pressure will be applied to WA state's idiot legislature to put in the ban on beach driving that should have been passed decades ago.
Go find a beach that does not allow cars, there is a whole west coast continent that is available to you.
Indeed, even though I live in Washington state, I patronize the Oregon and Olympic NP beaches instead, in large part because of this very issue, and the speeding idiots that abuse the privilege. Somehow Oregon and California don't suffer too much from not using their shorelines as superhighways.
I've driven this sextion of beach a few times (It is considered a state highway) and you have to be going 60+ to hit those birds. The guy is lucky he didnt flip his vehicle in the process. I hope they find him & prosecute him to the full extent of the law.
Don't forget that WA State just legalized pot.... just sayin'
(I may have taking the post too seriously.. forgive me in advance if this sounds harsh.)
Folks... I love animals... I think they are our haritage for now and future generations.... responsible conservation of wildlife (including hunting) done properly keeps us and the animals protected BUT this is a none news story...
Fiscal Cliff: 100s if not thousands could loose thier jobs or slip into poverty.
500 homicides in Chi Town alone an New York "celebrating" (sheesh) that there murder rate has dropped to 417... (nothing to be proud about.)
While you where enjoying "Christmas" 20+ Died on the highway... My son, his wife and daughter also wrecked Thankfully they survived, the vehicle... totaled.
I'm not trying to say "death of animals mean nothing" but human life means more... Give him a Fine, (because he shouldn't do that) but it is not murder.. reckless.. yes... thoughtless... yes.. but not news worthy.
And this thought may get me "collapsed" but please bear with me:
Some of the post so far.. is exactly why people are killing each other (with guns and otherwise) you all are reinforcing the thought: Animal life is more important than human life or just as important. Or better stated Human life is worth LESS than animal life... It isn't period... no exception.... I remember a news story on NBC where a dog got swept out to see... mom, dad, son tried to save him... they all drowned the dog made it. I would hate that something would happen to my cat.. I love my cat.. But If I had the to choose.. He is just a cat... I'll defend my cat from harm... would stop anyone from hurting my pet.. BUT... my cat is NOT human People's lives are more important period... no exceptions.
"What about the Criminal?": Punish him.
"What about the Insane?": Treat him.
"What about the Dictator?": Oppose him.
"What about the Sinner?": Preach to him.
"What about the Orphan?": Adopt him.
"Well What about the animals?": Be humane.. to IT... an that's it.
"What shall we do with Jesus?": accept him.. or crucify him... your choice.
How did you arrive at the conclusion that "human.......lives are more important period...no exceptions"? Seriously, is this a considered assessment? Based on what criteria? "It's just obvious"? How so?
Flame77_7 - I agree. Good and thoughtful post.
SDN - The answer to your question is, "42". The mice told us.
Flame, hopefully you don't volunteer at an animal rescue shelter. Please don't adopt any wonderful, loving animals since it's obvious how little you would value a pet. I'm sorry you have such little compassion for those little creatures.
Penelope, We have volunteered in our local animal shelter, We regularly purchase additional food supplies and donate to our local animal shelter, Our pets (and I used the word pets because that is what they are) have everything they need including our love, Having said that I fully agree with Flames post, I often sit in and watch what happens in our local court and when it comes to animal abuse cases the individuals often receive a harsher sentence/fine that domestic abuse/child abuse,burglary,theft and even some robbery cases. I see animal nuts who feed these feral cat colonies, They catch and spay/neuter these cats and release them back into these colonies which are not natural and cause the indigenous species to be decimated. Yes I am all for prosecuting this individual for killing these shorebirds but lets be realistic about the sentence, Just look at some of the idiotic posts on here about what people want to do to this person when they are caught.
If it's my "choice", why do "Christians" want to make it for me?
(One vote for thumper) Good question:
A world with 7Billion people may offer you the same thin on a Buffett... just pass on it... but if you havent tried it yourself... well the meal is really really good...
Yep... before you guys say it... I got way to thoughtful on this one.. (I guess I'm a little hyper sensitive today)
The guy was a bone head for doing this.. but its not a major crime... don't "bash" me too bad vine-ers.
Wouldn't say overreacting
What if your granddaughter had been on that beach with a vehicle doing 60 mph?
Down here in South Florida we have had several people run over on the beach in the last few years, by lifeguards, police, and beach patrol all low speed accidents, 1 was killed, several seriously injured. About 20 years ago I was walking on the beach with a girlfriend at night, we were away from the well lit "party" area, the strip in Ft Lauderdale as some may remember. We were not near the shoreline, a jacked up 4x4 came tearing out of the dark in our direction, no headlights, we got out of the way but not by much. motor vehicles have no place on the beach. I realize it is winter now, what if it was summer and people were in the area. The actions of these people were just plain cruel.
Way to thoughtful??!!! Don't flatter yourself.
well continuing my "mea culpa " I do agree that his behavior could endanger HUMAN lives... It is just that animals should be treated "right" but they should not be put above... this same sentiment makes the guy who's a responsible hunter like a "mass murderer".. Not even close and you don't have to agree with hunting to understand that... I just think that as a society we "switched" the roles and began subconsciously see human life as less and I really do think it has permeated our being and "people" are being taught and raised on that "belief" and the murders, rape, etc. are a result of not holding ALL life valuable but Human life IS more valuable.
To my critic who said "I you don't adopt any animals".... My answer.. I hope you don't adopt any children... It's obvious (from your post) you would take care your "animals" better than them.... You see it is better to "teach" children to care for animals and that life is important... but not more important than human life. That is my take.
Perhaps my message was not clear. I dont think that the person SHOULD have been driving 60+ MPH on the beach. Longbeach is considered a state highway. It is legal to drive on the beach, BUT the posted speed limit is 25 MPH. The IDIOT who did this was driving almost 3x the posted limit.
NOW, from your post it is obvious that you have not been to a beach in Washington State. Even in the summer you have very few days when you can actually party on the beach. Yes people walk on th e beach but 325 days a year (approximate) you need to be in a rain coat or wind breaker. These are not at all like the beaches of Florida or even southern California.
EMDF9A
My post was for Flame77_7, I have been to Daytona beach and people do drive on that beach, there 60mph would be extremely excessive. I was just quoting your post as a point of reference. No I have never been to Washington state, but would like to one day.
lets just catch him and kill him. too many people here on earth already
people are starving in Sudan, we don't have a budget & some birds died
Thanks for your "insightful" post. Were you trying to make a point or just regurgitating some random thoughts?
$500!?? That's repulsive.... death to the ones who did this!!!
Sorry, just had to try it out... I mean I care, don't get me wrong, but somehow an Indian Med student who was horrifically raped and beaten and died recently somehow captures my attention more than a flock of birds that IF were about 200 pounds each would see us all as FOOD.
In other words, they were birds... I get it. Sorry, but they had wings... they could have flown out of there. The Indian Med woman... didn't have a chance.
Seems like this did catch your attention enough to show your stupidity. Is your brain so challenged that it can only handle one thought at a time? By your idiotic logic the poor women who was raped in India had legs and should have been able to run away. So sorry, I don't think you do get it. In other words, you are a moron
Using your logic, people have feet so there is no reason for any human being to be a victim of a crime. They can just walk on out of there.
Pal, sorry that it seems that I stole your thoughts. I hadn't read your post when I posted mine. Great minds think alike.
Pal and Penelope...care more about some wild birds then a woman who was brutally raped and murdered.
Wow...See I can twist what you said to mean something other than what you said too.
The raped woman we can't do anything about because it happened in a country other than our own. (And the killers were caught, will be prosecuted, and likely get the death penalty.)
The other we CAN do something about because it happened in OUR country and we live here. And because someone who does somethi this randomly callous and cruel has the capability of doing something worse to another human.
This, like all other violent behavior, is a result of television, video games, etc. Wile E. Coyote, Sylvester, Elmer Fudd (chasing Daffy, not Bugs), Nintendo Duck Hunt, etc. The normalization of birds as victims and desensitizing violence against birds is something that Lou Dobbs should address.
I believe the parents of whomever was the primary cause of this.
Proper parenting with morals and values being taught would have prevented this.
The evisceration by means of a metal rod causing the torture and death of the precious young woman was horribly sadistic. The deliberate killing of innocent creatures for amusement is very troubling.
This isn't "the result" of anything other than stupidity! Too bad the perps didn't get stuck.
Karma and/or God have a way of coming back with a vengence.
Preferably he'll be caught by the authorities and be properly punished and publicly humiliated. But I wouldn't be surprised to read in the near future that this driver flips and rolls his vehicle on the beach, gets trapped inside, and the tide comes in to slowly deliver what he dished out to these birds. Just wait and see.
Find the scum and lock them up.
Outrageous, the should be jailed and a max fine applied for each bird.
Reality is IF caught some judge won't care and just want this off his docket and let the person go with a slap on the wrist.
Now if this were another incident of killed people and guns, the anti-gun liberals would be screaming about how guns kill. I don't see anybody saying cars should all go away because they kill. They certainly can be used as a killing machine as shown here 92 birds on one small section of beach. Think about it!
The reality is that he/they will probably be given a harsher sentence than someone who is a domestic abuser or child abuser or burglar or someone who stole a car.
If they catch the perp who did this, they should tie them up to a pier, cover him/her with whatever food those poor birds eat, and let the birds take their justice. I simply do not understand why some people are so sick and twisted they have to harm an animal of any kind. We as humans harm animals enough on a daily basis because we have overtaken their habitats - to go forth and intentionally kill them (with exception given to things like deer culling AND the meat is eaten) just to satisfy morbid amusement deserves an equally indifferent punishment; fear, horror and pain should be mandatory.
To those who think I am overboard: how many times have you been harmed by a human, and how many times have you been harmed, unprovoked, by an animal? 'Nuff said.
My brother was almost hurt by a cougar just sitting under a tree. Thankfully, rifle in hand he tamed the wild beast. 'Nuff said.
Glad your brother is okay, but maybe that cougar wouldn't have attacked if his food sources weren't being eliminated because someone wants to tear up a field or forest and build a home they will sell in five years.
And Cathy, you live in a house? drive a car? wear leather? eat any previuosly living thing, animal or vegetable?..................
Yes, I live in a PREVIOUSLY OWNED house, built in 1973, which I chose to take & fix up rather than build new. I drive a 15 year old car that has over 201,000 miles on it,a subcompact that I keep running with good maintenance even though I can afford a new one. Yes, I eat meat (and veggies) - I also grow my own. I also feed the wild animals because they have so little food sources to rely on. I also contribute to various charities that support both people and wildlife conservation...it's called doing my part. What have you done?
And why, exactly, is this National News? Run out of important things to report?
slow news day no murders to report yesterday.
Crystal meth is the drug of choice in the Northwest.southwest,southeast,midwest,northeast.
And all other rural areas in America. Drug of choice in urban areas is crack cocaine. Drug of choice for the wealthy is Alcohol and Cocaine. Pot gets you high. Crystal meth makes you psychotic. I have never done any of them . I have seen the effects all of them have. A pot smoker would not do this. a psychotic person would. So when you feel the need to use pot as an excuse get the facts right.
Clue: Look for a vehicle with bird $hit all over it.
Sad. Or lots of feathers in the radiator/grill area.
Why kill 92 birds for nothing? This is just sickening. It was probably a bunch of punk kids that were drunk and had nothing else to do but run over these defenseless birds. There are people in this world who are just plain mean and cruel. I saw a guy one time, go over in the opposite lane to run over a turtle. Why? There is no reason for this kind of stuff and they ought to do about six months in the county jail for this.