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http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/1123885.htmlGroundskeepers at the Capitol have been using illegal body-gripping traps to capture and kill moles, but stopped after complaints and a Department of Fish and Wildlife investigation got under way this morning.Voters approved Initiative 713 in 2000, outlawing the use of body-gripping traps, including mole traps. Violating the law is a misdemeanor, but Fish and Wildlife enforcement chief Bruce Bjork usually treats the offenses as more of a molehill than a mountain.He said no citation is likely in this case involving the Department of General Administration, which is typical for when homeowners goof and a neighbor rats them out.GA spokesman Steve Valandra said groundskeepers have used five to 10 of the illegal traps on campus lawns, including at the Governor’s Mansion, for a few years — apparently unaware of the law. They’ve since pulled out the traps, but will consider getting permits to use legal traps, he said.Republican state Rep. Joel Kretz of Wauconda brought the issue to light late Monday, taking pictures of two mole traps set into a grassy strip near the Capitol’s greenhouse. He said it showed a double standard he’s often seen in Olympia: “Do as I say, not as I do.’’“The irony is if I’ve got coyotes killing my sheep I can’t put a trap out. But if you’ve got a mole on the Capitol Campus, you can,’’ Kretz said, suggesting there is a need to change the law so that people protecting their property and crops from animal damage can use traps for that purpose.Fish and Wildlife spokesman Craig Bartlett said the agency has tried to change the law, but without success. “There have been a number of efforts to amend that law, and we have supported those efforts for moles. We’ve also sought exemptions for mountain beaver, coyotes and other troublesome critters that are hard to trap otherwise,’’ Bartlett said.Kretz said the incident should be a call for another look at the law by lawmakers and Gov. Chris Gregoire. He blamed former Gov. Gary Locke then Gregoire for inaction. He said Gregoire has had the benefit of State Patrol troopers and trappers in 2006 to deal with raccoon that that bothered her dog.Bjork said the agency has cited “commercial operators” that used illegal traps, and that the offense is a misdemeanor, subject to penalties up to 90 days jail and $1,000 in fines.In this case, Bjork said, “We are investigating it. I’ve already talked to the director of GA. They’re well aware of it. They have removed the traps. And we will interview the folks that were involved. And we’ll of course make sure they know it’s a state law violation. We’ll probably give them a warning not to do it again — cease and desist, but we will have it documented.’’
I don't like Gregoire anymore than anybody else, but you really can't expect her to keep track of how the landscapers do their job. I'd think she'd have more important things to worry about than that.It is pretty funny though, that the state government got caught violating that law.
There are alternative methods that involve pesticides or some form of explosive. What would be your choice for use around your kids?
Oh come on, I doubt if Gregoire would know what a trap looked like. GA has employees who take care of all the landscaping around the Capitol campus and I'm sure the same people take care of the governor's mansion. Gregoire didn't have to specifically request somebody come out to her house to get rid of the moles. I doubt if she had a clue how her landscaping was being taken care of.
QuoteThere are alternative methods that involve pesticides or some form of explosive. What would be your choice for use around your kids?EXPLOSIVES! Kids are already too involved with chemicals these days! (Oh, My kids? They're smart enough to stay away from dangerous things.)Where are comments from Machias? -Steve
Trust me, I have been biting my tongue for a couple of days, but I'm NOT going to get involved with this one,
Maybe they will let me bring one of these downs to get rid of em? I think I'll email it to them and offer my services.Gopher ControlOr I could suggest a profesional to em.Shootmoore
They need to hire Carl Spackler. "License to kill gophers by the government of the United Nations. Man, free to kill gophers at will. To kill, you must know your enemy, and in this case my enemy is a varmint. And a varmint will never quit - ever. They're like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong. So you have to fall back on superior intelligence and superior firepower. And that's all she wrote."
I don't like Gregoire anymore than anybody else, but you really can't expect her to keep track of how the landscapers do their job. I'd think she'd have more important things to worry about than that.
