Stop Offering Cash Bounties for Killed and Mutilated Beavers

Target: Scott Hixson, District Attorney for Horry County

Goal: Demand an end to Horry County’s sponsored beaver killing program.

South Carolina officials of Horry County have started a program—the Horry County Stormwater Department’s Beaver Bounty—which encourages residents to kill and mutilate beavers in their natural habitats. Even worse, Horry County residents are being incentivized to dismember these animals—as county officials are offering $100 for each pair of front paws brought to them. When inquired further about methods by which to kill the beavers, the Horry County Stormwater Department’s Watershed Planner, Chelsea Cogliano, responded that residents could shoot them, or kill them by whatever other means necessary.

This program has been started due to frustrations relating to flooding in local areas caused by dams, which beavers build as shelters for them and their families. Animals are not ours to kill when they become an inconvenience for us. If we want to blame someone for flooding—such as the recent, monstrous floods of Yellowstone National Park—we should point our fingers at our own selves.

Animal mutilation and death should never be encouraged. Sign this petition to demand an end to this gruesome program and stop destroying beavers and their homes.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear District Attorney Hixson,

Horry County officials have sponsored a morbid program which incentivizes residents to kill and dismember innocent animals. The Horry County Stormwater Department’s Beaver Bounty is rewarding residents with $100 for each pair of beaver’s front paws they successfully cut off and bring in. Officials are not regulating the means by which these animals are killed, and have told inquiring residents to kill the beavers by whatever means necessary, and advised using a saw or knife to cut off their paws.

This initiative started after mounting frustrations resulting from flooding issues caused by beaver dams. The dams that beavers build, however, are used as shelter for them and their families. What right do we have to deny an animal of its natural built home? Us humans are responsible for worse floods than these, and it is time we stop encouraging the abuse of animals simply because they are an inconvenience to us.

We are asking you, Mr. Hixen, to demand an end to this vicious program and stop incentivizing people to senselessly kill wild animals.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: yrjö jyske