There is an article in a local Huntsville newspaper about a PETA representative commending our Huntsville Town Council for their decision to uphold the ban on ‘keeping’ exotic and dangerous animals in Town limits. Well…I am glad they approve (rolling eyes-tongue in cheek). The letter states,

Infant animals are often prematurely removed from their mothers and denied the natural socialization process required for normal development. Many languish at the end of chains or in tiny cages; others die in the shuffle from one owner to the next.

I do not know enough about the issue to comment for or against it. However, if you follow the logic in the above statement, shouldn’t dog/cat owners be unable to buy, purchase, or keep puppies or kittens? Certainly, I am not against owning these pets but if puppies and kittens can survive being pulled away from their ‘parents’ and put in cages/kennels, I would think other animals could. I could not tell you if a dog or a cougar knows which of them is more wild than the other. I have never asked one. If dog/cat owners could love these exotic pets as much as they love their cat and dog I would think a cougar may appreciate that kind of home in contrast to the harsh and cruel reality of the wild.

To celebrate PETA’s agreement with the town I am renaming one of our fish camp’s favorite meals (see picture) to The PETA Special.

Bill Anderson

Muskoka Outdoors