It seems the Council doesn’t want its fingerprints on the guns used to eradicate rabbits, even though it approves reasonable use of such actions. On Tuesday evening it transferred authority to the City Manager for approving permits “for the purpose of using a projectile weapon for control of destructive animals.”
City Manager Wilberg in turn passed the buck saying his decisions will be guided by the Chief of Mission Viejo Police Services. Chief Mike Gavin had left the meeting.
The City Council previously granted two such permits; one to the Casta del Sol retirement community and one to the Palmia retirement community. Both were controversial and stirred strong emotions, including recent internet petitions; so the Council has joined the rabbits in running for cover.
The change is being made by amending the current ordinance. It will come for a second reading and final approval at the next Council meeting.
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Casta del Sol went all the way to Sacramento with the rabbit issue and was successful in conviencing the powers that be to let HOA’s use the shooting method for eradication of rabbits who were destroying our greenbelt areas. We than went to the city and at that time the Police Chief was involved and gave his OK. The fact that the city staff will be making the decision from now on only makes sense. It has been proven successful so why have any requests go to the City Council when all that will happen is Ms. Schlicht will for ten minutes spew some nonesence as she does with every issue that comes before the City Council. Then the vote will be taken and the outcome will be four to one in favor.
[Editor's Note: Factcheck: Cathy Schlicht was not on the council when the Casta permit was approved, but she voted in favor of the same permit for the Palmia community on June 6 of this year. The vote was unanimous.]
Give the final decision to God. If He wants those rabbits dead, He can manage without guns. If you were a bunch of farmers losing crops, this would be a different story. I don’t doubt the buck is being passed. It’s an ugly proposition, and I wouldn’t want the onus to be on me. PS: Don’t kill the bunny that comes to my lawn and roses every night. I have no beef with him.
The mental image of Joyce Saltzgiver shooting bunnies because they’re chewing on her grass is; priceless.