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SKUNKS!

By Jacob Bell

Now I'm not really one to complain about how this city is run, because it seems to work and we all get by, but theres a problem in this city I cant ignore anymore, SKUNKS! This city is INFESTED with skunks and its rediculous! There is one animal control officer in Genesee County and I've seen it drive around only during the day. These aren't just a couple skunks that are affraid of humans, these ones have no fear of humans, just tonight I was literly charged by a skunk! I got up and ran, it stopped a little short and kept creeping towards me, I had to throw several rocks at it to get it to run off. I know of several people who have been followed by the skunks. This city smells like skunk nearly everyday! This issue will not go away on its own!

The city, and residents, need to take steps to take care of them. The city must place traps, set up a 24 hour line for people to call when skunks are spotted, and they need to be dealt with immediately! No waiting. And an important part of control are the residents. We need all take steps to help discouraged the skunks. Skunks are much like bears and in places where bears are issues there are laws in place regulating garbage. We need to never leave bags not in a container, try waiting as long as possible to put youre garbage outside. If theres opening under houses and pourches cover them up, its where they live and nest. Theses are a couple messures that can be taken, we need a joint effort and the city and residents need to take steps to control them or else theres going to be an infestation, and I dont know about yall, but Im not a huge fan of skunk smell.

Karen Miconi

OMG Yes I know what you mean. 2 weeks ago there was a sick skunk, down the street, in broad daylight, stopping traffic. When numerous people called for help from the city, they were told, they would have to take care of it themselves. Lets see.. I sick skunk, on a city street, in broad daylight, and knowone to take care of it. Maybe Rabid?? Hmmmm
It was left to die, wherever it landed. This is on top of the summer nights, in a deep sleep, only to wake to the aweful smell of skunk.

Aug 28, 2009, 7:21pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

True peter. Im sure the city can find some cash somewhere. Maybe instead of the bench in front of the Pokadot, or their bonuses, and raises. I think the city should upgrade to the large garbage cans, with lids, that the big cities use. Maybe also upgrade the trucks, to load the large cans, with little or no manpower. This would prevent bags just being left out for skunks and other vermin to get into. The skunks have been here for years, I just think their taking over, kind of like the squirels.

Aug 28, 2009, 9:02pm Permalink
Amanda Welsh

I know what you guys mean. I live over near Pizza Hut and Dollar General. When I walk home from work, or get up to go outside and enjoy the weather and relax a little, it is interrupted by SKUNKS! There are like 4 over by my house alone. and I know what you mean about them not being afraid of people. I was trying to find my kitten about 2 weeks ago, and I had to wait for this Skunk to get away from my house and away from my Kitten so that I could go get him.

Aug 28, 2009, 3:25pm Permalink
Jacob Bell

Money? How bout when you call, the cops just like actualy come out and DO somthing about it. No money, theyre ushualy sitting around anyways at night.

Aug 28, 2009, 6:05pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Karen, to be clear, the money for the bench by the Pok-A-Dot did not come out of the city budget. It came from a grant from the state or the feds (honestly, off the top of my head, I can't remember if it was state money or feds).

Yes, I know it's all taxpayer money, but they are different buckets and can only be used for specific purposes.

Aug 28, 2009, 6:32pm Permalink
C D

I've seen about four total in the last year around my apartment complex both at night and during the day.

They're pretty skittish. I was able to scare them off by dry firing my paintball gun. There was only one time where I had to pop a few shots towards the little stinker to get it to run off.

Before someone asks, I asked one of the local cops that was camping out in a nearby parking lot trying to catch people speeding if it was okay.

Aug 28, 2009, 6:35pm Permalink
C D

So? When did it become the police's job to handle animals, especially skunks?

You have a legitimate concern, but complaining or making the BPD look bad because they don't want to handle a skunk, nor is it their job, is the wrong way to go about raising your concern. Expecting someone to take care of the problem is slightly arrogant too.

http://letmegooglethatforyou.com/?q=getting%20rid%20of%20skunks

Aug 28, 2009, 6:55pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

This became a matter of Public Safety, the day I am speaking of. Animal control is very lax, in my opinion when it comes to anything to do with any animals in Batavia. Thats what he's being payed for right?? Somebody>?? The Skunk problem is out of control, and should have been dealt with long ago.

Aug 28, 2009, 7:20pm Permalink
Lucille Van Son

I just read on the City of Batavia's site, that the animal control officer handle's dogs only. I also read on our other online newspaper that last Saturday a woman in the town of Batavia was biten by a rabid skunk that charged at her. It was killed and the health dept. sent it to be checked for rabies. Maybe if you call the health dept. they can help, seeing that the skunks are not running from you as they should and could possibly could be rabid also.

Aug 28, 2009, 7:27pm Permalink
Jacob Bell

Yeah we do. Since the city doesnt want to put the money up for a real animal control then someone has to take care of it. It is a matter of public saftey, skunks are dangurous rabid or not, if the spray gets in your eyes you can go blind. They wanna do things to make this city better, this issue should be on the list, no one likes a stinky city

Aug 28, 2009, 7:41pm Permalink
Jeanne Stack

Perhaps if the city turned the water at the spray park off when it is raining all day and not in use, they could use the money being saved from that to address the skunk issue.

Aug 28, 2009, 7:42pm Permalink
Laura Scarborough

When a "wild" animal does not run from you, could be it's been around people too much, to charge at you could mean babies are close by...or yes, rabies. My horse died of rabies over 14 years ago.... (I was sick w/heart ache) it was not mandatory to have rabies shots back then... it was just a strong suggestion and I was working on having a vet come out to the farm. My son & I both got the shots, not fun. Skunks serve a purpose, they eat grubs, insects etc...AND garbage...keep your areas clean... we are all trying to live together.... yes, they stink..really, really bad. All my dogs have gotten sprayed... BUT...., if you suspect aggressive behavior, I suggest you call the police and advise aggressive behavior they are "suppose" to get animal control out there as rabies is a serious issue. I dont suggest calling to say they are acting aggressive when they are not.. that's like sending someone to death when all they are doing is living after being born.

Aug 28, 2009, 7:46pm Permalink
Jacob Bell

You think the police and people would be? No. The cops dont want to handle it, yet if i went out and started blasting skunks away you and i both know id be arrested faster then i can reload. The city expects the problem to go away on its own or for us to pay alot for private contractors to handle it. All the city needs is to take a couple officers and train and equipt them for animal control, they can perform there normal jobs but when a call comes in theyre there to handle it.

Aug 28, 2009, 7:57pm Permalink
patricia armstrong

I was almost ran over my skunk this morning on my way to my car. I live on Harvester ave.Glad to hear that I'm not the only one with a skunk problem in the city.I've been told by animal control if it's not licensed not their problem.

Aug 28, 2009, 8:47pm Permalink
Bob Price

Maybe the city could hire Ehrlich Rentokil to trap them-an employee of them lives on Bank.....I believe it is illegal to fire a .22 in city limits.....

Aug 28, 2009, 9:17pm Permalink
Jacob Bell

Yeah i was just making a point with the .22 thing. Saying that most people would be happy to take matters in their own hands but the city doesnt want them to. And the city doesnt want to do it either. Im not really going to do it, though i would if i could

Aug 28, 2009, 9:23pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Why does everyone think every animal they encounter has rabies? I've been a hunter all of my life and have spent endless time in the woods during the spring, summer, fall and winter. Want to know how many times I've encountered a rabid animal? Zero, none, never ever.

The only time I saw an animal that concerned me was about 15 years ago down around Bolivar, NY. She was wearing a tank top, no bra, spandex, (don't wanna know if she had on panties, huge or not) had no teeth, a cigarette hanging from her mouth and was sitting on the front steps of a trailer in a weeded lot. I drove faster as I saw this while driving by. I was looking for places to hunt and never went back there.

Anyway, leave the skunks alone and they'll leave you alone. In fact I can remember as a kid having a mama skunk with babies come through our back lawn while grubbing. It had no fear of us and tolerated us while we took pictures. This lack of fear had nothing to do with too much exposure to humans and it certainly wasn't sick. Skunks simply know that they'll win when it comes to a face-off so they just don't pay any attention to you unless they feel threatened. If you startle it, it might do a fake charge but it'll back off. Just stand still and don't piss it off.

Y'all sound like a bunch of city girls.

Aug 28, 2009, 9:28pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

I've never encountered, or aproached a Skunk. This stench invades most of our summer nights, not by our choice. As for the Skunk flailing around in the street on Vine, traffic was stopped on both sides of the street. The thing was very sick with something. Knowone showed up, not even animal control?? What would they have had the public do?? What the heck are we paying them for?? Just dogs?? Its not called dog control, its called animal control.

Aug 28, 2009, 9:35pm Permalink
Jacob Bell

Thats all i ask Charlie. Theres no one to call for them. The cops ignore it and private contractors are expencive. There all over.

Aug 28, 2009, 9:37pm Permalink
Joshua Pacino

There are at least 5 of them near Summit Street and Washington Avenue. I was driving home late the other night and watched them cross the street like a row of ducks.

Aug 29, 2009, 3:41am Permalink
Bob Price

Hmmm-maybe the city should invest in new "Skunk Crossing" signs for Main St-you know,like the ones I see up in Rochester area for ducks and geese......like Doug said-if you encounter one, back away from it slowly-do not make fast movements.When people saw that sick one on Vine-are you positive it had not been hit by a car? If you were sure it wasn't,call the county health department about it,or maybe the sheriff-then they can contact the proper person.

Aug 29, 2009, 8:30am Permalink
Melissa Marsocci

Skunks are only the beginning. We live on Gateway Drive and have been infested with skunks, fox, geese, deer, and supposedly coyotes have been spotted as well. A neighbor behind us living on Rt 98 is feeding the wild animals, creating a horrible mess. He used to put food out on a desk, but in thinking he is hiding from us, has resorted to dumping garbage in between trees. To make matters worse, he has a county nurse that comes everyday. and she has been seen bringing garbage down as well. Is this what our taxes are going towards?! My husband and I have seen the fox attempt attack a local cat, and are concerned for what they may do to a small child. Also, we have had an infestation of skunks, which obviously would be coming for the garbage. When a neighbor attempted to confront this man about his actions, the man became irate, using obscene language, leaving us all concerned of what he may do next should we attempt to resolve this.

Aug 29, 2009, 10:53am Permalink
Julie A Pappalardo

There have always been skunks in Batavia. I can remember a skunk "trapping" my customers in the bar one night! It was right at the front door, so everyone was afraid to leave (and to come in unfortunatly).

The thing is that every time we build a new Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, we are destroying more of THEIR habitat.

If we keep taking away the animals habitat, then we need to get used to them being around.

The skunks are just being skunks! Let them eat all the grubs so we don't have as many Japanese Beetles next year!

Aug 29, 2009, 11:37am Permalink
JOSEPH MAROTTA

Skunks stinky or not are a very important for the enviroment.God made them for the purpose they serve they are scavengers they eat bats snakes the cream sickle you drove by in the morning on the way to work left in the middle of the road by a little kid.Your trask with KFC bones and spagetti from mondays supper that by neglegence was put on the ground for the trash man instead of a common sense garbage can.If a skunk sprays its for defense something scared it to make it spray.They dont do it to pee you off on purpose.They dont go out looking for you their looking for food.If you or the neighbors arent smart enough to get a trash can they are opportunistic feeders and are smarter than you in the fact that they got a free meal and you wound up with a skunk size hole in your bag.As a potential candidate for rabies skunks are very likely candidates at the top of the list especially if encounterd during daylight hours.I shot and killed one in my dogs house acople of years ago during day light hours in the city

Aug 29, 2009, 1:15pm Permalink
JOSEPH MAROTTA

I used a .22 caliber pellet rifle that shoots around 850 FPS.Skunks have thin skulls if you shoot them in the side of the head.I kinda felt sad about it because they are a beautiful animal but so is my dog.Air guns dont make much noise and mine had a laser on it that I bought at walmart which Irecomend in case you got a skunk that wont leave at night.I am not recomending shooting in the city.But if you have to because your threatend by an animal not just because it sprayed KNOW YOUR BACK STOP!!!AIRGUNS CAN BE JUST AS DANGEROUS AS FIREARMS!

Aug 29, 2009, 1:29pm Permalink
Amanda Welsh

yeah they are, I keep my paintball guns locked up especially since I have 3 small children at home. I will not take any chances. SAFETY FIRST! But I have done the same thing, I have shot a few "air" rounds off at skunks in my backyard that were actually "stalking" my 4 year old. I wasn't taking any chances!

Aug 29, 2009, 3:54pm Permalink
Joe Lullo

A skunk spared all 3 of my dogs, and tried to bite them. Now in the middle of the day a possibly rapid skunk tries to even go near any of my dogs let alone bite them, it's not going to end well, for the skunk at least. And between calling a pro and paying who knows how much, or spending $5 on a pack of BB pellets i know what I'm choosing... Now don't get me wrong, i would never shoot or let something be shot for the "fun-of-it", i love all animals no matter how stinky, but there was a health risk with having the skunk..... anyway the dogs loved the all the attention they got while getting a bath.

Aug 30, 2009, 11:04pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

I had staff check into the problem. They called the County Health Department. So far this year the reports are not out of the normal, there has only been two reports. The county will not trap them, it's considered a private matter.

Sep 1, 2009, 7:55pm Permalink
Daniel Jones

I don't mean to be disrespectful to the poster or to change the topic, but it is anyone else having a problem with brown water?

Sep 1, 2009, 7:58pm Permalink
Jacob Bell

Yeah but the cost to hire people to trap them is alot. What the city really needs is a true real animal control unit. When theres a rapid animal or somthing we have no where to call. Theres not alot of reports because skunks are nocternal and people arnt

Sep 1, 2009, 8:01pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

Jacob, I'm not apposed to the idea, there just has to be enough support in the city to want to pay for the service. As with any new idea you also need someone to champion the idea.

My wife and I are always on the look out for skunks when we pull into the driveway. I'm not sure if that is a fact of life or the problem is being under reported.

Sep 1, 2009, 8:20pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

Are you serious Dan? If you are, you might have a water line problem. I think I remember that just before I got a $2500 bill to fix my main line.

Sep 1, 2009, 8:23pm Permalink
Daniel Jones

Charlie-Being dead serious, I know that the Fire Department was flushing fire hydrants and was wondering if that might be the cause.

I seriously hope that it isn't a water main problem.

Sep 1, 2009, 8:52pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

Hopefully, that's the issue and an expert out there can do more than guess. Don’t let me scare you on this subject, I don’t have a clue besides my own experience. I just remember my water tasting bad and being brown for a week before the problem. The next thing I knew I had a geyser in my front yard.

Sep 1, 2009, 9:05pm Permalink
John Roach

Dan,
When the Fire Dept.flushes the line, the water will be brown/rusty for an hour or so. In fact, when the paper gives the streets to be flushed, there is a notice that the water will be off color for awhile.

Sep 1, 2009, 10:07pm Permalink
Jacob Bell

Charlie i got what i think is a decent suggestion. Insted of paying a couple people to be full time animal control officers lets take a couple people in the police department and train and equipt them for animal control. They can remain regular police but if an animal call comes in then theres someone able to handle the situation 24/7. Think about this, you get home in youre garage and theres a skunk in there who wont leave, who are you going to call yo handle the stiuation? You have no phonebook and cant find a private number and its lets say 1am.

Sep 1, 2009, 10:37pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

I'm not sure the double duty idea is going to fly. You would be changing the duties of a civil service position. I'm pretty sure that our police officers are not going to like the idea of trapping skunks either and that is something they would have to agree to do. Besides that if they do have extra time they need to spend that catching bad guys.

Sep 1, 2009, 11:06pm Permalink
Jacob Bell

Well when people have animal problems they call they ushualy call the police anyways, and they ushualy respond. Its just in this case theyll actualy be able to do somthing about it. Im just not a fan of the lack of a "911" for animal control. One time my brother killed a racoon in the middle of the afternoon that was acting really weird and kind of stalking people, he chased it down an beat it with a metal pole. We called the police because the thing was laying there in the middle of the road. a cop showed up asked what he was suppose to do about it and my brother said pick up and take it away he said and I quote directly "F*** that" and left. Well 20 minutes later he showed back up because his comander said he had to do somthing about it. People call the police anyways for animal control. atleast with my idea they can do somthing about it

Sep 1, 2009, 11:23pm Permalink
John Roach

There are private contractors who will trap them, but they cost money.

With the recent fire department contract, back pay for the police, and just other costs that go up, taxes will go next year already.

How much more will anyone be willing to pay?

Remember, the government said there may not be a cost of living increase this year for people on SS.

Sep 2, 2009, 7:03am Permalink

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