Opinion: Bad judgment used to enforce bad rules

Recently, online society was outraged over the unnecessary death of a pet squirrel and raccoon.

Intelligent people were angry over the absurdity of “saving” animals by killing them. Others said the uproar showed how far society had fallen -- why would anyone care about a squirrel?

USA Today reported:

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation confiscated Peanut the squirrel from his home in Pine City, N.Y., on Oct. 30 due to “multiple reports from the public about the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and illegal keeping of wildlife as pets.” A raccoon known as Fred was also seized from the home and euthanized

It’s not about the squirrel and raccoon. It’s about those who would steal happy, healthy pets and kill them because an arbitrary rule had been broken. It’s about those who will do anything they are told to do, no matter how obviously wrong it is, because they follow orders.

It’s about the poor judgment of every government employee involved, and about the poor character of the person who ratted them out to the state.

Think about how many people had to sign off on this raid. A judge had to have such terrible judgment he thought this was a good idea. Everyone involved in the raid had to ignore human decency. Did none of those involved, from the judge to the person who killed the pets, say, “Hold on -- no one is being harmed here, and it would be wrong to do this?”

They’ve all shown bad character, poor judgment, and a willingness to commit evil to keep the paychecks coming.

This is why governing others, which no one has a right to do, is unethical.

Everyone involved in this enforcement travesty should be fired immediately. They should never be hired by anyone, ever again, for the rest of their life.

I wouldn’t sell them a crust of bread, a drop of fuel, a spark of electricity, or a box to live in. If they starve to death, cold and wet under a bridge, I wouldn’t lift a finger.

Government employees who will invade a home to steal and kill happy, healthy pets will participate in mass arrests and send you to a concentration camp if so ordered. They’ll pull the trigger if you refuse to comply. Especially if those giving the orders say it’s for “public safety” or say you’re “illegal.”

Legislation like that used to kill these beloved pets may be based on good intentions. People make bad decisions -- not limited to those who take government jobs. Animals can carry disease. They can bite and scratch. This doesn’t justify tyrannical rules. It doesn’t excuse the abysmal judgment shown in enforcing bad rules.

It’s not about the squirrel. It’s about society, responsibility, and judgment. There must be harsh consequences for behavior this evil.

Farwell’s Kent McManigal champions liberty. Contact him at:

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