Homeowner faces jail after killing trespassing squirrels

Published On: Thursday, December 27, 2012 5:00 AM
By: Shira Schockett

Shot dead squirrels

To prevent squirrels from entering his house, New Jersey resident, Robert Baird closed the hole that they were using. Unfortunately, they still found their way in.  Baird finally had enough of the pesky squirrels “infiltrating” his property; he decided to make an example of the next unfortunate squirrels that crossed his path.

He tempted squirrels with peanut butter and promptly shot them with his BB gun upon arrival.

Like the typical serial killer, Baird kept trophies from each killing. Baird hung the dead squirrels around his property, cautioning any other curious rodents against coming near.

Despite the fact that the dead squirrels may have scared away other squirrels, they attracted the attention of Baird’s neighbors and ultimately of the Linden Police Department. The police were greeted with a “heartwarming” display of ten or more squirrels hanging around the 49-year-olds garden. He was taken into police custody on charges of animal cruelty and will face six months in jail and a fine of $1000 if he is found guilty.

It is illegal to shoot squirrels in Linden, New Jersey and Baird could have been charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty. Luckily for him, the police decided to go easy on him.

Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka told the media that this was the Baird was the first citizen arrested for shooting squirrels. Nonetheless, he had to be charged because of his public display. Gerbounka hopes that this incident will serve as a lesson to other residents and teach them to call city agencies instead of taking matters into their own hands.

So, next time you are faced with a squirrel infestation, don’t make the same mistake as Robert Baird and if you’re going to kill them, do not advertise your crime.