[Zeeb]

There has been some construction done nearby on a house that was previously abandoned in my neighborhood. This has driven out all the mice that lived there into the surrounding buildings including mine. My landlord put glue traps all over my apartment and one worked tonight.

A glue trap worked last night as well but I couldn't just throw the mouse out with the trap so that he would slowly starve to death so I killed him before I threw him away. That didn't feel too good.

What should I do with this mouse? Obviously I dont' want him in my house, but there isn't a place nearby I could let him go without him running back inside my building or someone elses. I managed to free him from the glue trap this time and he is in a shoebox awaiting his fate.

Should I kill the mouse?

[Kerrigan]

Do not kill him. Mice don't contribute to global warming.

[Chips G]

Take him to a park, or out of the city, and let him go.

You'll feel good about it.

-Chris

[Mastrap]

I'm with Chris.

[Chuckit]

I'm with Chris as well. I don't kill anything that doesn't pose a threat to me and mine.

[Railroader]

Kill the mouse.

Remember the plague?

[Zeeb]

Originally Posted by Railroader

Kill the mouse.

Remember the plague?

It was looking good for the mouse for awhile--now we're at 50/50.

[Zeeb]

Originally Posted by Chris Gilpin

Take him to a park, or out of the city, and let him go.

You'll feel good about it.

-Chris

I know, its hard for me to actually participate in a mouse's death.

[Kerrigan]

Referred to ALF and PETA.

[Zeeb]

No worries, my roommate and I just released the little guy next to a tree--a block away. If he knows what's good for him he'll stick to garbage cans.

[Kerrigan]

Aww, I was hoping for a flood of PETA noobs to register and turn this into an eco-friendly flame fest.

Animal Rights Community Online :: View topic - Animal's life hangs in the balance in sick internet poll

[animalrightsmalta]

Dear Zeeb,

I am sure you are mature and intelligent enough not to let an internet poll dictate what action you will take. Whether an action is moral or immoral does not depend on whether a majority approve or disapprove of an action.

If you really want to do the right thing, just look at the facts, think about them, and then make your decision.

Fact 1. Mice are sentient creatures. They suffer like humans do.
Fact 2. Mice will not go out to harm humans, especially if they are far from human habitat.
Fact 3. Humane traps are available, and mice can be caught and relocated elsewhere.
Fact 4. The fear of disease from mice nowadays is just as illogical as the fear of contagion from AIDS patients. With the proper care and attention, you will not contract any disease.

I am confident that you are mature and compassionate enough to make the right decision, irrespective of what a majority thinks. To make your choice easier, put yourself in the position of that mouse.

Thank you for your attention,

Yours,

Kenneth Cassar
Animal Rights Malta

[red rocket]

I can't believe there are animal rights campaigners trolling the MacNN Lounge, registering only to post Pro Mouse propaganda. Not that he's wrong, if you want to be the saviour of the meeces, why the hell not? You may want to consider that you might be separating the mouse from his friends and family, though, causing him irreversible emotional trauma.

[animalrightsmalta]

First of all, I am not trolling. The question asked concerns animal rights, so I gave a simple, unoffensive opinion. My membership may be deleted by the administrator if he considers my post trolling, but the only way to send the message to Zeeb was by registering, which I did. Consider it as free advice to a regular member in this forum (Zeeb)

And since you mention it, sure, in other circumstances it could mean seperating the mouse from friends and family, but not in this case. Apparently, the other mice have all either been killed or been driven away.

It's now totally up to him. And considering Zeeb says that he freed the mouse from a glue trap, this shows that he does care, and would not find my post in any way as a troll's post. He apparently was only seeking advice or opinions, which I gave. And apparently, some of your regular members share my views.

I've had my say on this topic, and out of good will, I will not post anymore on the topic unless I am replied to. I am neither a troll, nor do I plan to be...a troll would not give out his real name. Perhaps I could have used another name and sent him a private message, but that would have seemed more abusive. I have nothing to hide, after all. I don't have any bad intentions, so I resorted to the most honest means...which is a message in this thread, and signed with my real name. And if anyone does not believe it is my real name, try a google or yahoo search of Kenneth Cassar, and you'll find it is true.

[Kevin]

I have a hard time killing anything.

I even put spiders I find in the house in plastic bags and transfer them outside.

I am a big wuss that way.

But our cat has no problem going outside and finding rodents to leave on my porch.

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by Railroader

Kill the mouse.

Remember the plague?

Mice are generally ok, but rats are a problem.
Bubonic plague - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Plague is primarily a disease of rodents, particularly marmots (in which the most virulent strains of plague are primarily found), but also black rats, prairie dogs, chipmunks, squirrels and other similar large rodents. Human infection most often occurs when a person is bitten by a rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) that has fed on an infected rodent. The bacteria multiply inside the flea, sticking together to form a plug that blocks its stomach and causes it to become very hungry. The flea then voraciously bites a host and continues to feed, even though it is unable to satisfy its hunger. During the feeding process, blood cannot flow into the blocked stomach, and consequently the flea vomits blood tainted with the bacteria back into the bite wound. The Bubonic plague bacteria then infects a new host, and the flea eventually dies from starvation. Any serious outbreak of plague is usually started by other disease outbreaks in rodents, or some other crash in the rodent population. During these outbreaks, infected fleas that have lost their normal hosts seek other sources of blood.

[nonhuman]

I'm not a huge fan of the idea of killing random animals. On the other hand mice (though not as much as rats) are a huge vector for disease. You do not want that mouse to be urinating and defecating all over your stuff.

I'll second animalrightsmalta's call for humane traps and relocation, but do it now. Get the rodents out of your house, and especially away from your clothing and food. (Also, I have to say I commend Mr. Cassar for caring enough about animal rights to actually register a new account here. Despite the fact that I enjoyed a fantastically amazing steak last night, I really respect that he cares as much about the issue as he obviously does.)

[red rocket]

Originally Posted by animalrightsmalta

I've had my say on this topic, and out of good will, I will not post anymore on the topic unless I am replied to. I am neither a troll, nor do I plan to be...a troll would not give out his real name. Perhaps I could have used another name and sent him a private message, but that would have seemed more abusive. I have nothing to hide, after all. I don't have any bad intentions, so I resorted to the most honest means...which is a message in this thread, and signed with my real name. And if anyone does not believe it is my real name, try a google or yahoo search of Kenneth Cassar, and you'll find it is true.

Alright, maybe I shouldn't have said troll. Just surprised by the fact that somebody with such strong views on a valid but not computing-related cause would choose to register here apparently for the sole purpose of defending a mouse. For the record, I'm pro mouse, myself.

[OwlBoy]

Yeah! Just put the shoebox in your passangers seat and take him a mile or so away, I'm sure he won't find his way back

-Owl

[marden]

I thought this thread was about new computer technology.

[kick52]

ha! i cant believe the Animal Rights noobs are on to us!

anyway, i think zeeb is only asking the question of how to get rid of it.

has anyone seen www.savetoby.something-or-other. i dont think this was ment to be a sick poll.

[Zeeb]

Originally Posted by animalrightsmalta

Dear Zeeb,

I am sure you are mature and intelligent enough not to let an internet poll dictate what action you will take. Whether an action is moral or immoral does not depend on whether a majority approve or disapprove of an action.

If you really want to do the right thing, just look at the facts, think about them, and then make your decision.

Fact 1. Mice are sentient creatures. They suffer like humans do.
Fact 2. Mice will not go out to harm humans, especially if they are far from human habitat.
Fact 3. Humane traps are available, and mice can be caught and relocated elsewhere.
Fact 4. The fear of disease from mice nowadays is just as illogical as the fear of contagion from AIDS patients. With the proper care and attention, you will not contract any disease.

I am confident that you are mature and compassionate enough to make the right decision, irrespective of what a majority thinks. To make your choice easier, put yourself in the position of that mouse.

Thank you for your attention,

Yours,

Kenneth Cassar
Animal Rights Malta

Thanks for your reply. When I first caught the mouse I did consider killing him, but then that just seemed very distasteful to me-- considering how I would have to do it-- and I wimped out. I freed him from the glue and put him in the box and didn't know what to do with him for a bit. My roommate and I ended up setting him free next to a tree outside a few blocks away. Hopefully he will find plenty of snacks on the streets of Brooklyn and stay there. I'm still bitter that he ate all my cheesey ritz crackers I had stashed under my bed. Who would have thought mice eat cheese?!

[zerostar]

Well I guess that squirrel I thumped while driving to work this morning around 4am kinda makes up for you setting him free. Thanks, I feel better.

[JoshuaZ]

hmm... as much as I love animals... I kind of wish someone would kill the cats having sex outside my window every night. (and I love cats to no end!)

[animalrightsmalta]

I guess I was so eager to give my suggestion, that I didn't notice that Zeeb had already released the mouse. Well, maybe my suggestion will be useful if another one is found in the house.

Nonhuman, thanks for your comment, and your suggestion to act quick makes sense. As for the steak comment, I respect the fact that this is not an animal rights forum, so I will not comment. I do not expect everyone to agree with all my views, and this is not the right place to debate meat-eating. So out of respect to the forum, I won't debate this.

Redrocket, thanks for understanding. It takes only a few seconds to register, so it was in no way any sacrifice for me

Zerostar, I guess you must be proud! But I won't fall for any provocation

JoshuaZ, maybe calling an animal shelter would be a better idea. Or perhaps catching, spaying/neutering, and releasing them would solve your problem.

Owlboy, Kevin, Kerrigan, Chris Gilpin, Mastrap and Chuckit - thanks. I hope I have not missed anyone

Anyway, it's been good "talking" to you guys, but I won't bother you further.

P.s. I did not consider this a "sick poll". I'm sure all Zeeb wanted was opinions to help him make up his mind. I'm glad he did the right thing! Also, as a final comment...it would be a good idea to wear thick gloves when handling rats or mice...you never know.

Take care...goodbye.

[zerostar]

Originally Posted by animalrightsmalta

Zerostar, I guess you must be proud! But I won't fall for any provocation

Eh, I was for real, there is a family of them living in my attic, I tried to get them out several times, but they like breaking in more than I like climbing up in the attic so be it.

I pulled out of my drive up to the mailbox which goes out one road, got my weekend mail, turned around and headed back to the house, thru the circle drive and up towards the road that leads to the interstate, the lil guy jumped out in front of me and there was little I could do. After the disposal I felt bad and was stunned to see this poll, now that the mouse is roaming free I feel better that he got to live on.

[Rumor]

Be a man!

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by animalrightsmalta

Nonhuman, thanks for your comment, and your suggestion to act quick makes sense. As for the steak comment, I respect the fact that this is not an animal rights forum, so I will not comment. I do not expect everyone to agree with all my views, and this is not the right place to debate meat-eating. So out of respect to the forum, I won't debate this.

Feel free to start your own thread debating meat-eating. I think you'll find plenty of people on both sides of the issue here.

[animalrightsmalta]

Originally Posted by zerostar

Eh, I was for real, there is a family of them living in my attic, I tried to get them out several times, but they like breaking in more than I like climbing up in the attic so be it.

I pulled out of my drive up to the mailbox which goes out one road, got my weekend mail, turned around and headed back to the house, thru the circle drive and up towards the road that leads to the interstate, the lil guy jumped out in front of me and there was little I could do. After the disposal I felt bad and was stunned to see this poll, now that the mouse is roaming free I feel better that he got to live on.

Oh...I apologize then...I misunderstood you. I thought you were trying to taunt me by saying that even though the mouse was safe, at least you killed a squirrel to make up for it. The opposite was in fact the case. Thanks for clearing it up. I understand it was an accident. It could have been me accidentally killing the squirrel.

So again...I apologise.

[animalrightsmalta]

Originally Posted by Rumor

Be a man!

Hehe...good one. But if that was a real mouse, I'm quite sure you wouldn't eat it

[sek929]

Mice are festering disease bags and should be exterminated at all costs. I've killed a few with brooms, etc and I don't regret it at all.

I'd rather have a dead mouse on my conscience than feces and urine in my cabinets.

[brassplayersrock²]

heh heh heh good one Rob

[Kerrigan]

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock

heh heh heh good one Rob

That isn't rob (although that username has a rob "ring" to it). That's one of the members of the message board that I alerted. I figured the animal rights people should know that MacNN was about to be responsible for a needless death.

[itai195]

Hm, I didn't know you could remove mice from glue traps. I've been concerned because we have new construction going on next door, but our cats would probably get to any mouse before I could.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Railroader

Kill the mouse.

Remember the plague?

My sentiments exactly, I have zero tolerance for disease carriers sh*ting in my cupboards.

[Zeeb]

Originally Posted by itai195

Hm, I didn't know you could remove mice from glue traps. I've been concerned because we have new construction going on next door, but our cats would probably get to any mouse before I could.

The glue on the trap was unevenly spread on the plastic sheet and the mouse got caught on the part with a lesser amount of glue. Still, as soon as I would free one part of the mouse he would squirm and re-stick himself. So I turned the trap upside down so that gravity would draw him away from the glue once I freed one part of him. I did not use my hands since I didn't want to get bitten, but an old key I had lying around(not as bad as it sounds, and actually just the right kind of support). I got him off the glue without breaking any of his limbs which was kind of amazing. After he was in the box awhile, he got over being stunned and started squeaking and running around inside so I knew he was fine--minus a small amount of fur.

[zro]

Good grief. Kill the food destroying flea bag.

Though I don't care for glue traps. Only mouse I've seen in one had his face buried in the adhesive while most of his body was free to squirm in abject terror before I finished him off. I don't remember any of the mice I've seen caught in spring traps.

[Dakar]

I just can't read this thread title without Elmer Fudd's voice going on in my head "Kill the waaaaaabbit!"

[Naplander]

Why don't you just get an ultra-sonic device?

I had mice last winter in my house, and since plugging this device in, have had absolutely no problem at all.

Mileage may vary, but it worked for me.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by animalrightsmalta

JoshuaZ, maybe calling an animal shelter would be a better idea. Or perhaps catching, spaying/neutering, and releasing them would solve your problem.

Not an option in a country where they feed whale to kids in school lunches. Oh, and I once ate raw horse. Someone offered, I had a bite. Not great, but not bad either. (I refuse to eat whale.)

Seriously, no one neuters in Japan. Its so fricking weird. Its really expensive here, and people give me strange looks when I bring it up. I would actually enjoy a decrease in the number of kittens going through my trash though... (Poor little guys have horrible eye infections. Most of them end up dead anyways from cars or lack of food.)

[Sayf-Allah]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

(I refuse to eat whale.)

Why?

[Eriamjh]

Plague? How about the Hanta Virus?

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by Sayf-Allah

Why?

Good question. I want to go (back) to Japan specifically so that I can try whale meat (also I want to visit my friends who live in Tokyo...).

[yakkiebah]

In order to respect the outcome of the poll i think it's time that you go out and kill the mouse.

[Pendergast]

Yes.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by Sayf-Allah

Why?

Endangered species and all. I`ve met whales smarter than most people. (I wouldn`t be against a good person burger) Also most Japanese people I know, young ones, don`t like it because it actually doesn`t taste good. The Japanese didn`t even do much whaling until after WWII when there was no meat available. This is why the price is down so low right now, and why its now in school lunches and in dog food.

[Sayf-Allah]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

Good question. I want to go (back) to Japan specifically so that I can try whale meat (also I want to visit my friends who live in Tokyo...).

Or you could come to Iceland and I'll BBQ it for you.

[Sayf-Allah]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Endangered species and all. I`ve met whales smarter than most people. (I wouldn`t be against a good person burger) Also most Japanese people I know, young ones, don`t like it because it actually doesn`t taste good. The Japanese didn`t even do much whaling until after WWII when there was no meat available. This is why the price is down so low right now, and why its now in school lunches and in dog food.

I'm thinking you are a bit like the Icelandic people who think there is only one kind of mushroom in this world. So every mushroom that looks a bit different is still called a mushroom (if you get what I mean). There are several different species of whales. Some are endangered and should absolutely not be killed. Other species, like the minke whale, are abundant enough (and in some locations their population exceeds that of pre-whaling times) to be killed.

As for it not tasting good, I guess that's depending on your personal taste. I've yet to meet a person who doesn't think whale meat is delicious. That includes foreigners who are against whaling.

And whale meat has always been cheap. It's cheap because of the vast amount of meat you get with one kill.

So I recomment you at least try minke whale. Just BBQ it like you would with any other meat. I'll guarantee you will like it.

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by animalrightsmalta

It could have been me accidentally killing the squirrel.

MURDERER!

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by Sayf-Allah

Or you could come to Iceland and I'll BBQ it for you.

Sold!

Now don't be surprised if a random American shows up at your door one day demanding BBQed whale.