Disposing of wild animals takes special care, training

If you should call Shawnee’s Animal Control about a vicious dog or to report animal cruelty, don’t be surprised if you have to wait. Officers may be responding to calls on skunks, raccoons, opossums and snakes that have taken up residence in the city’s neighborhoods.
Randy Newton, Shawnee’s animal control supervisor, said the problem is much more serious than many people realize.
“We receive more than 500 calls a year from residents within Shawnee’s city limits about wild animals in or near their home,” Newton said. “This is in addition to a large number of calls on dangerous dogs, injured or dead animals and cruelty violations.”
Newton explained there simply isn’t enough manpower to handle the increase created by wild animal reports.
“We usually only have two officers working at a time, and there’s often only one on patrol for just five hours a day. Out of the 500 or more wild animal calls, at least 200 require us to go to the location. It’s seriously affecting our ability to be where we’re needed most.”
About 20 live traps are available for individuals to rent and return (with a deposit) at the Animal Control Shelter.
Newton said that they have already lent out 58 traps this year. However, he strongly advises people that there are restrictions and dangers associated with trapping wild animals.
“You have to be licensed to dispose of a wild animal in the state of Oklahoma,” Newton said. “If we set one of our traps, then we can come get the captured animal. If an unlicensed person captures a wild animal using one of our traps, they are legally required to call us to dispose of it. If they use their own trap, we are not allowed to pick up the animal. Catching a wild animal like a skunk, raccoon or opossum can be very dangerous. They know how to defend themselves and some may be carrying diseases.”
Newton said trapping is obviously not the perfect solution and wildlife experts agree.
Kevin Grant, director of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and 
Forestry Wildlife Division, says education and prevention are the keys to long-term success.
“Wildlife living in urban areas is on the increase all over the country,” Grant said. “Natural habitats are disappearing and new construction is causing wildlife to make a living in towns and cities. Certain animals are extremely good at adapting to city life, but they won’t stay if they can’t find food, water and shelter. If people would be more aware that they may be inadvertently attracting these animals, the unwelcome visitors wouldn’t hang around.”
Grant explained the situation of wild animals in urban areas will never completely go away, but it can be controlled if people would close up openings under their home, clean up wood piles and debris that say “welcome home” to animals seeking shelter and a place to raise their young. Bird feeders, backyard ponds, trash, garbage, dog and cat food are all attractive to the animals.
“They don’t stay where they can’t survive,” Grant said.
Shawnee Animal Control receives more calls about skunks than any other animal, Newton said. Although not normally aggressive, the skunk’s natural defense is its spray which is not only unpleasant and difficult to eradicate, but it also can be extremely painful when a frightened skunk aims for a human’s or pet’s eyes.
“Skunks have always been a pool for rabies, since they are common carriers of the disease,” Grant said. “Normally nocturnal and shy, a skunk that is active during the day or assertive is exhibiting abnormal behavior which could indicate a disease such as rabies and animal control needs to be notified.”
Pottawatomie County officials say they actually get fewer wild animal complaint calls in the rural areas than city officials.
“Most of our calls are from people who live in areas recently constructed adjacent to woods and open pasture,” said Dave Balleweg, the county’s undersheriff. “Many are formal city dwellers who are unacquainted with wild animals, mostly coyotes and snakes they now encounter. People who have lived in the country a long time know how to coexist with nature.”
Newton said they are here to serve and will do all they can that the law and available resources allow, but he hopes people will take measures to prevent the problem and not rely on trapping as a solution. He also reminds residents that discharging a firearm or any projectile is prohibited in Shawnee. This includes bee-bee guns and sling shots.
“People need to realize that if we trap and dispose of an animal, there will probably be another to take its place, and another after that,” Newton said. “This time of year, skunks will be looking for ways to get under houses near available food sources. The only answer that really works is to quit putting out the welcome mat.”