LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[September 13th, 2006] TRAPPER KEEPER

The Aug. 23 edition of Willamette Week got it entirely wrong when its "Winners and Losers" column suggested that "Sadistic trappers may soon enjoy a total open season" on Oregon's wildlife if proposed new rules developed by an advisory board are adopted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission. The proposed rules WW was attacking apply to the Wildlife Control Operator Industry. This industry, which has exploded over the past decade, is responsible for removing thousands of "nuisance" wild animals from the Portland Metro area using both lethal control and relocation. During the past two years, a task force that included Portland Audubon has worked to develop enforceable regulations to protect wildlife and ensure a high standard of performance for the industry.

The rules that Willamette Week attacked apply specifically to how animals can be euthanized. While the mechanics of killing animals are never pleasant, the proposed regulations adopt the same techniques as those approved by the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. The proposed rules specifically prohibit several techniques such as drowning, bludgeoning of large animals and freezing that are currently allowed in the existing regulatory void. There are several other areas of significant improvement as well, including new provisions for competency testing for new permittees, standards for care and caging of animals, inspections and a process for permit revocation.

Anybody concerned with the welfare of wildlife in the state of Oregon ought to be strongly encouraging the ODFW Commission to adopt this package in October rather than paying attention to the uninformed diatribe in WW.

Bob Sallinger
Urban Conservation Director
Audubon Society of Portland
Northwest Cornell Road

CORRECTION

Two weeks ago, Willamette Week published a cover story, "With Amigos Like These." The story included a photo (above) of an advertisement with the caption "Ads in the Hispanic Yellow Pages promote legal services that may not be legal." The caption was describing the ad for LPC Inc., one of the central subjects of the article, in the Hispanic Telephone Directory. However, the photo also included the ad for Benjamin Grandy. Grandy is a lawyer in good standing with the Oregon State Bar and has nothing to do with the cover story. The article itself did not mention Mr. Grandy, and inclusion of his ad in the photo was inadvertent. Willamette Week regrets the error.