An Indianapolis man who drew attention to a controversial animal trapping and killing proposal is pleased that the state plan was shelved on Tuesday.
But he’s still a bit concerned that the rule change might have happened.
The Indiana Natural Resources Commission on Tuesday withdrew proposals that called for a bobcat hunting season and a requirement that captured raccoons, coyotes and opossums be killed.
Department of Natural Resources Director Cameron Clark moved to withdraw the proposals during a commission meeting, and the panel adopted those motions unanimously, eliciting applause from nearly 100 people attending the meeting.
“We have heard from you. We appreciate the interest. We do feel as though we probably need to work more with our constituencies on sensitive rules like this,” Clark said.
The nuisance animal proposal would have required proposal would have required animal control workers to kill captured raccoons, opossums or coyotes.
Mike Meservy, owner of Advanced Pest Control in Indianapolis, and others helped bring attention to the proposal early this year when he read a letter from DNR indicating that he would have to euthanize about 150 to 200 nuisance animals he captures each year. Those animals are currently released in rural areas where he has the permission of the homeowner; animals that are clearly sick are humanely euthanized.
“I’m absolutely elated it’s over,” said Meservy. “I’m happy they listened to the concerns of the public, but I’m a little worried the rule changes might have happened if someone hadn’t complained.”