For those like me who shrink at the thought of using a "hammer" or "spike", 
there is another quick and kind way to kill a small mammal or bird, which I 
have have used with squirrels badly injured by cars, and birds injured 
beyond recovery by cats.  Drop them in a plastic bag and spray in a little 
automotive starting fluid, which is is actually ether.  Of course, I have an 
occasionally balky lawn mower and so have the starting fluid on hand. 
Unpleasant topic, but many of us have to deal with it from time to time.

Stephen Hult
Edgewater MD


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William Randolph" <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 10:24 AM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] [Fwd: Re: [MDOSPREY] Pests at my feeders]


> Killing by starvation is quite horrible, and a slow proces for the hardy
> Norway rat which can live quite long without food. Chances are you are
> killing them by dehydration, an unpleasant sentence itself. A good thwap
> on the head with a hammer or a spike through the brain is much kinder. And
> it is certainly better than releasing it elsewhere.
>
> > Rick Sussman
> Ashton,MD
> 
>
>
>
> -- 
>