ALL
PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO STOP THE BRUTAL KILLING OF THESE BEAUTIFUL BIRDS. THE SITUATION IS BECOMING INTOLERABLE!
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/mute-swans.html

I could hardly believe my eyes when I read the article on Maryland's plan to move forward on its plan to kill Chesapeake Bay's mute swans by putting them in sacks and beating them into submission ("State to move forward with plan to kill Chesapeake Bay's mute swans," Jun 10 article).

The article, describing what was said in a letter to the attorney general from an animal advocate, said that the "neck-breaking method includes rounding up swans, placing them in sacks and beating them before cutting off their necks with an instrument resembling bolt cutters."

Will the guillotine now become Maryland's choice of death penalty for criminals? Oh, wait, the swans are only breeding and eating. I think that is called survival. I guess it's OK for the state to break state law when it suits its convenience.

So, these are non-migratory animals. Could they not be trapped and sent to private institutions? Couldn't some savvy vet students interested in honing their skills at de-sexing exotic species be utilized to solve this problem?

Is it really necessary to trap, sack, beat and behead these animals who were probably imported for someone's amusement? Frankly, I am rather horrified that this is the solution of officials who are looking for a quick, cheap, crass and barbaric means of eliminating a species. Who are these people?

Puller Lanigan, Silver Spring