A landmark case here in the UK has resulted in a £1,500 fine for a man who drowned a squirrel, bringing up the possibility of hundreds of other people across the UK potentially facing legal action.

Raymond Elliott pleaded guilty to drowning a grey squirrel after it raided his nut feeders out in his garden which were intended for the birds. A neighbour reported Mr Elliott to the RSPCA after the squirrel was drowned, resulting in legal action by the charity.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said:

“Drowning grey squirrels causes unnecessary suffering, as this case demonstrates. Realistically the only humane method would be to take the squirrel along to vet, as you would with a pet.”

However, the RSPCA have been roundly criticised for taking legal action. Tim Bonner from the Countryside Alliance said that the court action was merely an attempt from the RSPCA to push its animal welfare agenda, rather than being concerned about Mr Elliott’s actions being inhumane.

“Killing grey squirrels is a good thing – there are far too many of them and they threaten our native species and woodland. It is absolutely ridiculous that the RSPCA has spent thousands dragging this man through the courts when he was clearly unaware of the law.”

“They are using the courts as a propaganda vehicle.”

Even Carri Nicholson from Save Our Squirrels has come out in support of Mr Elliott:

“I feel very sorry for this man being prosecuted as most people don’t know the law and it’s not always clear what they should do.”

What do you think? Should the RSPCA have pursued this case in the courts and should a guilty verdict have been delivered?