Skyrocketing rates of wildlife shot in residential areas

BY Kim Shepard  on February 14, 2013 @ 6:43 am (Updated: 8:54 am - 2/14/13 )

Owl
From one or two a year to more than 50 a year, The West Sound Wildlife Shelter is caring for an increasing number of animals that have been shot in residential neighborhoods. (Photo: West Sound Wildlife Shelter) | Zoom
Wildlife managers say they're noticing a disturbing trend in Western Washington. The number of animals shot in residential neighborhoods has been skyrocketing.

Mike Pratt with the West Sound Wildlife Shelter has been working in wildlife rehabilitation for 20 years. He tells KIRO Radio's Andrew Walsh Show the problem of animals being shot in suburban areas has increased 50-fold in the last two years.

"In the past we would usually get one or two cases in a year where animals have been shot, but over the last two years we've been averaging over 50 a year. So, we're seeing a big, dramatic increase in this," says Pratt.

The shelter is treating animals with pellet gun injuries and some that have been hit by shotgun spray. Pratt thinks it has to do with people feeling threatened or annoyed by animals that really aren't hurting anyone.

"A lot of these animals are protected. Everything from otters, ravens, osprey, squirrels, vultures, eagles, songbirds," says Pratt.

The animals being shot are also leaving behind more orphaned wildlife than ever before. Pratt says when they find an injured or dead animal, it's not unusual to find a nest or burrow of babies somewhere nearby.

Kim Shepard, KIRO Radio Reporter
Kim Shepard is a news anchor and reporter for KIRO Radio and the office optimist. She's energetic, quick to laugh and has a positive outlook on life.
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Comments (12)


  • Add A Comment

  • 2shbag wrote...
    Mexicans
    February 14, 2013 8:04 am
    Protecting their precious chickens. Ive seen it first hand at two different neighborhoods.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Oh please
    February 14, 2013 9:10 am
    This is just another pathetic liberal anti-gun BS story....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bigdogina4x4 wrote...
    It does............
    February 14, 2013 12:50 pm
    have that tone.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    maplecarp
    February 14, 2013 12:22 pm
    You're pathetic.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    maplecarp
    February 14, 2013 8:30 pm
    Sitting under the plexiglass awning of his rented mobile home in Spanaway with his 22 caliber (borrowed) single shot rifle. Empty beer cans on the rotting deck, yeah, he's a real dude that maplecarp, thinks the Liberals are to blame for everything, send Maw down to the smokeshop for some more chew. Loser.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Saltchucker wrote...
    Wrong again Longway.
    February 15, 2013 12:01 pm
    The 22 is back in the closet because no one can get 22 ammo right now.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Drool wrote...
    I Know of it First Hand
    February 16, 2013 6:00 pm
    Neighbor shot a deer than was nibbling on his plants. He even admitted to it. BTW, he is a lily white black helicopter hating loon.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    Racist
    February 18, 2013 8:46 am
    W T F does skin color have to do with killing a deer?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    What is "shotgun spray"
    February 18, 2013 8:44 am
    ....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpitantso wrote...
    American Bison also commonly known as the American Buffalo
    February 19, 2013 12:02 am
    Was almost wiped off the North America continent, they roamed the grasslands of america in herds of ten's of thousands, managed by the natives but a combination of commercial hunting and slaughter was almost the end. Blame that on the Mexicans or as fishtree says "another pathetic liberal anti-gun BS story"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    Well no one wrote a song
    February 19, 2013 9:58 am
    Saying "give me a home where the Raccoons roam" Comparing Bison to some guy killing a coon or any animal destroying property is a little silly.....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    hpitantso
    February 20, 2013 7:09 pm
    OK, so how about we have an anti-gun law that says it's illegal to hunt animals from trains? I doubt you'll get any serious fight on that gun law.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }