Squirrels found hanged in trees Princess Anne, MD (US)Incident Date: Monday, Apr 12, 2010 County: Somerset
Disposition: Open Case Images: 1 files available
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What campus administrators are calling a random act of animal cruelty was discovered by students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
A 19-year-old UMES sophomore, who wished not to be identified, found two squirrels hanged by the neck from a tree limb outside Nuttle Hall, an all-boys dormitory near the Performing Arts Center on campus.
"I feel as if this is a sign of racism," said the student. "I have never seen anything like this."
According to the sophomore, a crowd of students formed around the scene, which drew his attention. Many other students believed this to be a sign of racism as well, the student said.
Since UMES is a Historically Black College or University, the hanging animals caused many students to question the motive.
"I don't think a student would do this," he said. "This is a black school based around a predominantly white community."
UMES spokesman Gains Hawkins, however, called the matter a "stupid college prank."
He confirmed the incident and said the animals would be taken down immediately, adding they were hanged by a string, not a noose.
"The administrators here at UMES unequivocally did not believe this was an act of racism," Hawkins said. "The thought never crossed their minds. It certainly was a perverse act of animal cruelty, but we don't believe it was racially motivated."
Hawkins did not know how the animals ended up hanging from the tree, and said a police investigation would likely yield no suspects.
"We are not going to be able to identify who did it," he said.
Kirkland Hall, president of the Somerset NAACP, was also in agreement with UMES administrators.
"I don't think it was racially motivated," he said. "Some kids were just trapping squirrels." References |