Animal Control, not residents, should manage the Stray Varmint Problem

On March 17, the City of Buena Vista Virginia passed a new ordinance that holds home owners responsible for exterminating varmints, such as mice and skunks, on their property.

In accordance with the new law, offenders will now receive a letter prompting them to rectify the violation. If they fail to do so, the city will take possession of their property until the fine is paid in full.

Many residents of this city are bordered by woodlands that home many many possums, skunks and other rodents. The city's regulations make it illegal to poison rodents or dispose of carcasses, putting this burden on the residents. This is an undue hardship. Not everyone will have landlord permission to bury rodents on their property.

In addition, the city has not provided instruction. For example if they want us to trap these animals instead of kill them, they have not provided information on where it is legal to release or dispose of them.

In order for an ordinance to be reasonable, it must provide economic and feasible strategies to comply with it for everyone who is a voting citizen.

Also, having a very high population of elderly, ageing and disabled persons, this request is also very unrealistic and provides no exception or accommodation.

Furthermore, being otherwise law abiding citizens, threatening to take someone's home over being unable to pay a fine due to feral animals is a gross disservice to our community.