Utility allowed to resume kill tactics
The Connecticut Post
KEN DIXON Staff writer
NEW HAVEN — A Superior Court judge on Wednesday reluctantly rejected an attempt to stop the United Illuminating Co. from capturing and killing monk parakeets that nest in utility poles near Long Island Sound.
The Darien-based Friends of Animals Inc. immediately said it would appeal the ruling, which was issued less than an hour into the third day of a civil trial before Judge Trial Referee Anthony V. DeMayo.
Shortly after FOA attorney Danielle B. Omasta rested her case against the utility, DeMayo accepted a motion for summary judgment from UI attorney Jonathan M. Freiman. Later in the day, Anita Steeves, a UI spokeswoman, said that the company had no immediate plans to resume the controversial capture program, but it expects a nest tear-down strategy in the fall and will monitor the rebuilding of parakeet colonies not scared away by the nest destruction.
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6 Comments
On May 29, 2008, Nancy Rice wrote:
Friends of Animals will proceed with appealing yesterday’s ruling. FoA will also work to strengthen the existing statute (Sec. 26-92) so there’s no room for United Illuminating or anyone else to exploit any weakness in it to kill monk parakeets.
It’s very important for all concerned to contact their State Senator and State Representative to express that we want these birds fully protected by law. You can find contact information here:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/maps/townlist.asp
Also contact State Rep. Richard Roy, Co-Chair of the Environment Committee, who previously expressed a sincere desire to help. You can find his contact information here:
http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Roy/index.asp
The next legislative session begins in December, and we need your voices to be heard with plenty of time to get a bill passed by the House and Senate.
For those who can support FoA’s efforts, please also sign up on our website through the link “Advocacy Alert.” You will be notified of any rallies, letter- writing campaigns, or actions regarding this issue. Contributions can be earmarked for the monk parakeet project.
Thanks to all of those who stand with us as we move forward to secure freedom and protection for these birds.
On May 29, 2008, angelo wrote:
why isn’t there a sign up petition out there? this way it will really speak in volume! the ui is just wearing us out they know we will eventually give up, lets give them a fight, just like someone wrote earlier the goverment agencies would have kept killing the prarie dogs until the public outcry became stronger than there actions, of course the ui wants to kill them off they are a buisness and the bottom line is money. oh by the way i think the audobon society is bought off because after all they sided with the ui what the hell are they thinking? arent they supposed to protect nature?
[Blog editors’ note: Friends of Animals isn’t giving up nor are we worn out. Believe it.]
On May 31, 2008, Vin Verrillo wrote:
Let’s all contact as many people as possible to keep the cause of these aminals on the forefront. I have a nest in my front yard and I marvel the way they build it. One twig at a time, carefully put it in place, if the twig falls to the ground they don’t reuse it. They work as a community. They don’t deserve to be killed.
Contact your congressman/woman, ask for help. Be vocal, be persistent. Saving the birds is the right thing to do.
On June 1, 2008, courtney wrote:
I hate that people don’t care what they do to the animals. The In zoos animals are in cages the animals, not free and they won’t be able to live in the wild after you feed them,house them,and even help them in any way. The animals would not be able to hunt for food. I hope this message will make a different view in people’s eyes about animals.
On June 3, 2008, Angie wrote:
I hope that all the animal rights organizations & activists will keep on fighting to help save the lives of these innocent birds. This is like saying that these birds have no right to have a life & they’re being punished for flying around near trees & pole-lines. For crying our loud, we’ve got murderers, rapists, & even child molestors walking around scott free in this country and these so-called judges have the nerve to make the decision to have these birds killed instead of focusing on doing something about these horrible people who are committing crimes! They give this country a BAD name & I’d rather be the one to die for these birds and let these birds live. Our judicial system in this country is as bad as the morons who run this country! I hate this country!!
On June 6, 2008, Kathy wrote:
Does anyone know about the covers that New Jersey Electric put on their transformers to avoid the nests being built? Please provide as much information about these covers. I would like to start a campaign and purchase these covers and have them installed. Please advise - how much they are, where they can be purchased, etc (as much info as you know about them!). If we can’t beat the UI, then maybe we can protect the birds by covering the transformers so they are forced to build their nests in the trees and the UI will not kill and destroy these beautiful birds. Please help if you know!!