Stop the Hazzard County Squirrel Slam: two petitions, one letter

BACKGROUND | SOURCE HAND4PAWS

The Holley Fire Department is located in the Village of Holley, in eastern Orleans County, NY, it has been brought to the attention of animal advocates, this is their tradition of the “hunting” of squirrels. The website www.holleyfire.com has recently posted on their website an event that calls for people to register in the adult and the youth category of the event. It is a sadistic form of entertainment that is sponsored by the Holley Fire Department. Although it is stated that this event follows all the hunting Rules by the state of the New York, it does not mean that just because it is legal, that it is morally right.

The Holley Fire Department is said to follow federal, state, and local standards, and yet it is unreal that they promote such act of violence in the hands of young people, or that the whole state of New York finds this event as something that represents their culture and beliefs. Just this past December 24, the nation saw the fatal shooting of two firemen in western New York, yet the Holley Fire Department has no respect for those that lost their lives, and continues patronizing this senseless massacre for what they call a “tradition”.

The website states that “by the incorporation of technological advancements in equipment and by advancing the educational level and training of [their] members, the Department will continually strive to improve the standard of fire service”. It is time that the education of the firefighters includes teaching empathy for all living creatures. Non-human and human animals are sentient beings and do not deserve the tragic death of being shot.

We would like to ask the Mayor John W. Kenney, Jr to please stop the Holley Fire Department 7th Annual Hazzard County Squirrel Slam.

The following is the Firefighter oath:

I __________________ do solemnly swear to do my duty as a Firefighter for the City of _______ to the best of my ability; to serve my commanding officers with respect and dignity; to serve the citizens of the City of ________ with compassion, courage and integrity; and to uphold the laws and constitutions of the United States of America, the State of ________, and the City of _______; so help me God.

Please, Village of Holley, live up towards the oath volunteers and members make: compassion, courage and integrity.

CNNi Report click here and share

The link of petition started by Julie Gallagher HERE

The link to the Facebook created by animal advocates to keep people informed about the situation is: Stop the 7th Annual “Hazzard County” Holley New York Squirrel Hunt click here and Like
About Hand4Paws:

Their mission brings attention to the suffering of animals. Their principle is to help end their torment and  promote,with emphasis, at risk companion animals. Reaching a broader audience through social media is their way of advocating for animals.

Pic obtained from http://blogs.roanoke.com from another youth squirrel hunt event. Not actual picture from the town of Holley


PETITIONS

1. Click HERE to sign
2. Click HERE to sign


WHOM TO CONTACT

Click HERE for online webform (solve the math problem and click Contact Us to submit comment)


SAMPLE COMMENT

Please Stop the Hazzard County Squirrel Slam:

The website http://www.holleyfire.com has recently posted on their website an event that calls for people to register in the adult and the youth category of the event. It is evident by the context of the posting that people raise the squirrels in order to be shot and killed on that day. It is a sadistic form of entertainment that is sponsored by the Holley Fire Department. Although it is stated that this event follows all the hunting Rules by the state of the New York, it does not mean that just because it is legal, that it is morally right.

The Holley Fire Department is said to follow federal, state, and local standards,and yet it is unreal that they promote such act of violence in the hands of young people, or that the whole state of New York finds this event as something that represents their culture and beliefs. Just this past December 24, the nation saw the fatal shooting of two firemen in western New York, yet the Holley Fire Department has no respect for those who lost their lives, and continues patronizing this senseless massacre for what they call a “tradition”.

The website states that “by the incorporation of technological advancements in equipment and by advancing the educational level and training of [their] members, the Department will continually strive to improve the standard of fire service”. It is time that the education of the firefighters includes teaching empathy for all living creatures. Non-human and human animals are sentient beings and do not deserve the tragic death of being shot. We would like to ask the Mayor John W. Kenney, Jr., and the Holley Fire Department, to please stop the Holley Fire Department 7th Annual Hazzard County Squirrel Slam.

The following is the Firefighter oath:

I __________________ do solemnly swear to do my duty as a Firefighter for the City of _______ to the best of my ability; to serve my commanding officers with respect and dignity; to serve the citizens of the City of ________ with compassion, courage and integrity; and to uphold the laws and constitutions of the United States of America, the State of ________, and the City of _______; so help me God.

Please, Village of Holley and Holley Fire Department, live up towards the oath volunteers and members make: compassion, courage and integrity.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent appeal.

NAME


UPDATE

Dear compassionate friends,

As you all know the petition was delivered to Mayor and we have records that it was received at 9:36am on Feb 11 2013. The Mayor of the city of Holley received the petition and letter from Hand4Paws and Julie Gallagher. Sadly, the hunt did happen and although concerned citizens from Friends of Animals were there to protest. Fellow Animal Rights Activist Joy Benson has started a new Facebook page that targets all animal killing contests through out the USA. This needs immediate action and it needs the implication of all us in order to have these hunts end once and for all.

Please join the FB event LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN TO BAN ANIMAL-KILLING CONTESTS https://www.facebook.com/events/142406042592499/146421438857626/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity#.US1VJNSsktA.twitter&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

The following are links of news articles that covered the squirrel slam event. These sites were found and kept track by our friend Joy Benson and friends.

We want to thank all the people involved in these campaign and we would like to say to them that people involved in being active for animals inspire us all. We started only a petition…but because of the love you all have for animals you made this cruel event make the news nation wide. Thank you for giving your voice to animals. Never give up!

Washington Post – http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ny-fire-dept-sponsored-squirrel-killing-contest-criticized-by-lawmaker-animal-rights-groups/2013/02/15/3a30f7b4-77ba-11e2-b102-948929030e64_story.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

ABC 17 News – http://www.abc17news.com/?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

FIREHOUSE – http://www.firehouse.com/news/10880603/ny-fire-depts-fundraising-squirrel-kill-has-critics?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Telegraph.com – Worcester, MA – http://brooklyn.news12.com/news/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-draws-complaints-1.4655247?firstfree=yes&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Brooklyn News 12 – http://brooklyn.news12.com/news/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-draws-complaints-1.4655247?firstfree=yes&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Daily Herald, IL – http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130215/news/702159709/?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

PostBulleton.com – http://www.postbulletin.com/news/nation/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints/article_23ae8df7-111b-58b6-a736-043af272cf98.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

ABC 17 / Columbia, MO – http://www.abc17news.com/?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

GlobeGazette. com – http://globegazette.com/news/national/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints/article_0347f994-4a72-5cf3-ad8c-e154c6520470.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

NBC TV Tucson – http://www.kvoa.com/news/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints/?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

KATU.COM / Portland News – http://www.katu.com/news/national/NYFDs-squirrel-shooting-contest-draws-ire—-191460701.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Finger Lakes Times – http://www.fltimes.com/news/state/article_257800d5-683d-5014-86ca-1c8331318856.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Billings, Montana Gazette – http://billingsgazette.com/news/national/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints/article_57645605-4527-5f1a-b40f-f2e78ddff64e.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Galveston Daily News – http://www.galvestondailynews.com/news_ap/nation/article_c04f64d4-c9d7-549e-9404-4c5290d84d9f.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Long Island News – http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-draws-complaints-1.4655246?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Bryan / College Station – The Eagle – http://www.theeagle.com/news/nation/article_0c7883b3-3fd2-5c3f-9bf7-2b823c8aa920.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Wisconson News – http://www.wiscnews.com/news/article_9c24c70b-5cb6-5983-abb4-9d87902a86b4.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

The Republic, Columbus, IN – http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/e37cc1aef6794a23bf12b59f57861db5/US–Squirrel-Killing-Contest?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Huffington Post – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20130215/us-squirrel-killing-contest/?utm_hp_ref=green&ir=green&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Breitbart News – http://www.breitbart.com/system/wire/DA4FBP600?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Houston Chronicle – http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/NY-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-draws-complaints-4282355.php?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Star Telegram, Fort Worth, TX – http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02/15/4624499/ny-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Long Island Firearms – http://www.longislandfirearms.com/forum/topic/62485-anti-squirrel-slam/?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Ithica Journal.com – http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20130215/NEWS10/302150063/Rochester-area-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

CharlotteObserver.com – http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/02/15/3858054/ny-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Eyewitness 4 KOB – NM – http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2933743.shtml?cat=600&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

StarGazette.com – http://www.stargazette.com/article/20130215/NEWS10/302150063/Rochester-area-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Anchorage Daily News – http://www.adn.com/2013/02/15/2791119/ny-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

The Telegraph, River Bend – http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20130215/NEWS10/302150063/Rochester-area-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

PressConnects.com – http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20130215/NEWS10/302150063/Rochester-area-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Clarion Ledger – http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20130215/NEWS03/130215034/Squirrel-shooting-contest-comes-under-fire?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Aspen Times – http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20130215/APA/1302150905?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

St. Louis – http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-draws-complaints/article_7d103a7b-db48-5666-972a-dbbd4a0abfd9.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

The Republican, MA – http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/02/squirrel-shooting_contest_spon.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

The Garden Island, NJ – http://thegardenisland.com/news/national/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-draws-complaints/article_c2aa2091-8584-574b-b31b-c20b382ae762.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

WPTZ, NY – http://www.wptz.com/news/vermont-new-york/plattsburgh/New-York-Squirrel-Shooting-Contest-Planned/-/9277622/18572436/-/n9hh4g/-/index.html?absolute=true&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

GettysburgTimes.com – http://www.wptz.com/news/vermont-new-york/plattsburgh/New-York-Squirrel-Shooting-Contest-Planned/-/9277622/18572436/-/n9hh4g/-/index.html?absolute=true&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

UT – San Diego – http://web.utsandiego.com/news/national-news/?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

El Paso, Inc – http://www.elpasoinc.com/news/wire/regional_us/article_a86fb1c7-ab81-5459-8d87-8b05c2b1e440.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Boston.com – http://www.boston.com/news/nation/2013/02/15/fire-dept-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints/xh0PJzP67pR60402YYfSQI/story.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Seattle Times – http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2020368882_apussquirrelkillingcontest.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA – http://www.eveningsun.com/nationworldnews/ci_22599999/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Contra Coasta Times – http://www.contracostatimes.com/nation-world/ci_22599999/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Miami Herald – http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/15/3236920/ny-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Marin Independent Journal – http://www.marinij.com/tablehome/ci_22599999/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

CharlotteObserver.com – http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/02/15/3858054/ny-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

The Witchita Eagle, Wichita, KA – http://www.kansas.com/2013/02/15/2678132/ny-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte – WRAL.COM – http://www.wral.com/ny-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints/12114320/?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

the Washington Post – http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ny-fire-dept-sponsored-squirrel-killing-contest-criticized-by-lawmaker-animal-rights-groups/2013/02/15/3a30f7b4-77ba-11e2-b102-948929030e64_story.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Huffington Post – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20130215/us-squirrel-killing-contest/?utm_hp_ref=green&ir=green&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Miami Herald – http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/15/3236920/ny-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

NBC NEWS.COM – Plattsberg, NY – http://www.nbcnews.com/id/50828396/ns/local_news-plattsburgh_ny/#.UR7yXqWsiSo?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

KLEW TV.COM – http://www.klewtv.com/news/national/NYFDs-squirrel-shooting-contest-draws-ire—-191460701.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

MyFox Detroit.com – http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/21221777/upstate-ny-fire-department-hosting-squirrel-hunt?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

The Times, New Jersey – http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/02/squirrel_shooting_contest_come.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

CTPOST.COM – http://www.ctpost.com/news/us/article/NY-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints-4282355.php?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

MyNorthwest.com – http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=15&sid=2203839&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

KSTC45 Minneapolis, St. Paul, MN – http://www.kstc45.com/article/stories/S2933764.shtml?cat=11584&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

WIVB4 – http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/nation/NY-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints_07355505?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

My SanAntonio.com – http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/us/article/NY-fire-dept-s-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints-4282355.php?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Yahoo!News – http://news.yahoo.com/ny-fire-dept-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints-215141159.html?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Philly.com – http://mobile.philly.com/news/?wss=/philly/wires&id=191459791&utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

Roadrunner – http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/1110/81584437/NY_fire_depts_squirrel_kill_drawing_complaints?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

MyFoxNY.com – http://www.myfoxny.com/story/21221777/upstate-ny-fire-department-hosting-squirrel-hunt

FOX10 TV.com – http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/national/NY-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints_68150598

13 NEWS – http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/ap/2013/02/15/NY_fire_dept_s_squirrel_kill_drawing_complaints.html

MERCED SUN-STAR – http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/feb/15/ny-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints/

Ventura County Star – http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/feb/15/ny-fire-depts-squirrel-kill-drawing-complaints/

I4U News NY State – http://www.i4u.com/2013/02/new-york-state/drawing-squirrel-ny-complaints-kill-fire-depts

Las Vegas Sun – http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/feb/15/us-squirrel-killing-contest/

This message is from Hand4Paws who started the petition “Mayor John W. Kenney, Jr: Please Stop the Hazzard County Squirrel Slam ,” which you signed on Change.org.

View the petition  |  View and reply to this message online

hello humans we will be blunt,
we did not come in peace,
we came to hunt,
to slam your species to
the ground,
sure glad you decided to
stick around.
so humans before your
minds get jammed.
give up on this notion
of the vicious squirrel slam!!!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson