Rats that bite the hands that feed them
Times Colonist
Friday, August 19, 2005

Re: "SPCA deals with squirrelly situation," Aug. 18.

I am astounded that time and energy is being spent rehabilitating baby squirrels. The public should be educated about the incredible biological damage these "cute" rodents have unleashed on southern Vancouver Island.

They have decimated the native bird population by eating bird's eggs; the native red squirrel is non-existent; (the grey squirrel is not native to our area and is an introduced species). They wreak havoc in the garden, not to mention the problems that ensue should the little darlings nest in your attic. They also carry disease and they will bite you even if you have faithfully fed them peanuts from your back door for years.

It should be noted that they have at least two litters per year and each litter has anywhere from nine to 11 "cute" baby squirrels. With these statistics, and the fact that they have no natural predators in the city, it is no wonder we are being overrun with them.

J.E Morrison,

Esquimalt.