Don't Prosecute Woman For Showing Compassion Toward Baby Animals!
- by: Patrick O'Tuel
- recipient: New Jersey Division Of Fish And Wildlife
Maria Vaccarella is an animal lover who did not hesitate to help when her neighbor told her about an injured squirrel in his yard. Maria and her husband took the squirrel in, put it in a box in their backyard, and gave it food. They were on the verge of calling the Humane Society when the squirrel gave birth.
When the mother squirrel abandoned her babies, Maria waited 24 hours before intervening. She fed them and contacted a wildlife rehabilitator who told her to hold on to the baby squirrels until May. Under Maria's care, the babies thrived and quickly became a part of her family.
Four months after Maria took in the baby squirrels, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife came to her door asking about the squirrels. They told her that it was illegal to take in wild animals, and that she had to hand over the squirrels to be taken to a rehabilitator immediately. Maria had no idea that keeping the squirrels was illegal, and immediately gave them to the Fish and Wildlife authorities.
A few days later, Maria got a ticket in the mail for taking care of the squirrels. When she went to court to plead 'not guilty,' the judge told her that she could face up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. She is due back in court on January 27th for sentencing.
Please sign this petition to demand that the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife stop the unjust prosecution of a woman who did nothing more than show compassion toward two baby animals.
Maria Vaccarella is an animal lover who did not hesitate to help when her neighbor told her about an injured squirrel in his yard. Maria and her husband took the squirrel in, put it in a box in their backyard, and gave it food. They were on the verge of calling the Humane Society when the squirrel gave birth.
When the mother squirrel abandoned her babies, Maria waited 24 hours before intervening. She fed them and contacted a wildlife rehabilitator who told her to hold on to the baby squirrels until May. Under Maria's care, the babies thrived and quickly became a part of her family.
Four months after Maria took in the baby squirrels, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife came to her door asking about the squirrels. They told her that it was illegal to take in wild animals, and that she had to hand over the squirrels to be taken to a rehabilitator immediately. Maria had no idea that keeping the squirrels was illegal, and immediately gave them to the Fish and Wildlife authorities.
A few days later, Maria got a ticket in the mail for taking care of the squirrels. When she went to court to plead 'not guilty,' the judge told her that she could face up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. She is due back in court on January 27th for sentencing.
Please stop the unjust prosecution of a woman who did nothing more than show compassion toward two baby animals.
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