To get rid of a problem: Pest control, or slow death?
		by BUDDY AMATO
		At least twice a week, I receive a call from someone that there is an animal trapped in a cage. This cage was set by well-meaning person set to get rid of the problem of a raccoon/cat/squirrel/possum or some other type of common backyard critter. The problem they are trying to correct, however, because of their stupidity, is costing them a day in court and also a thousand dollars per animal. Because of their neglect, they are forgetting to check their cages (something that is required by law whenever an animal is trapped; it must be moved to someplace in the woods or other area so as to not find its way back and cause another problem). By law, you are required to check your traps every 24 hours, unless someone calls you, like the property owner, and informs you that an animal is indeed trapped in your cage. Should this happen, you are required to come out as soon as possible to release it. When I say that as soon as possible, that means that even if it's 90 degrees out and your trap is on the top of a roof where the sun is baking down on it, you need to get out there right away. You are responsible for that trap if you are the one who set it, period. Many pest control people try to put the blame or the responsibility on the homeowner. They try to tell me that the reason the animal died a horrible death in the trap was because the homeowner failed to call and notify the pest control company that an animal was trapped in the cage that company set. Well, news flash, I do not care how many contracts you have the homeowner sign! If the animal dies in the cage, I am going after the person who set it and I have not lost a cruelty case to this date in reference to this type of neglect. The fine is $1,000 per animal plus jail time is also implied, as well as community service. If the person is a constant offender, then you are looking at much steeper penalties. Every time I go out on a call in reference to this type of abuse, I get the same excuse that the homeowner failed to check the trap and call the company to tell them that an animal was in their trap. This is nonsense and if these companies had some common sense, they would realize many of these people that hire them to place traps are just not home half the time. They go on vacations or get on with their lives and simply forget there is a trap on the roof of their home. They never think of trying to get a vantage point to see the thing up there, even if they remember it was there or if they even cared that an animal was baking to death in it. To them, the animal is a threat and they simply don't care. On the other hand, the pest control person is getting paid and they are the ones who are profiting from the deed. Thus, as far as I am concerned, they are the ones who are responsible for checking it. The problem as I see it is, these companies are so busy trying to make a buck, they simply do not have the manpower to check these traps that they set. They are too busy thinking of the next contract at the next house. Because of that, it is almost impossible for the pest control person to check on the traps each day, or in the case of extreme weather, every 10 hours or so. Even 10 hours sitting in a cage you cannot even turn around in is torture for an animal such as a raccoon that thought it was getting a free meal or was trying to bring some food back to its young litter of kits back at the den. This is another form of abuse, because the young kits or litter of kittens or whatever babies that are awaiting the mother's return are also doomed to a slow death. And this death of the youngsters is guaranteed by the pest control company. Do you think for one minute the pest controller, or the homeowner for that matter, thinks that the animal in the trap has a family waiting for the return of the parent? I think not. Thus, in many cases, even if the person who set the trap gets rid of one problem, he or she is, in fact, creating another. But do not worry, because you won't have to see or hear the results of the problem you unknowingly caused. The babies that were left behind in the den that the mother hid them in will die a horrible slow death of starvation and, because of their young age, you probably won't' hear their cries. Remember, when calling that pest controller, try to think of the results that may follow, or at the very least, remember to check and ask where in fact, the traps are set so you can try to do the right thing. As far as I am concerned, trapping should be against the law during the birthing season, which takes place in the spring. If you can have a heart and deal with the problem until the babies have left the den, you can avoid being part of the problem. The comical thing is the cages used in most of these situations are called "have a heart" traps. Grandmaster Buddy Amato operates Amato's Karate and Weapons Academy, 589 Palmer Avenue, West Keansburg and is the author of Buddys Animal Kingdom. For more information, call (732) 671-9555. Return to top More Columns Copyright Buddy Amato Amato's Goju-ryu Karate, Nunchaku, Bo-staff, Aikido, Sword, Kendo, Sais, Kick-boxing, Tai-Chi and more 589 Palmer Ave, Keansburg and is the author of Buddys Animal Kingdom, NJ 07734 (732) 671-9555