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81-Year-Old Squirrel Killer Sentenced To 30 Days
By
Jen Carlson
Published May 21, 2010
Modified May 21, 2010
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By
Jen Carlson
Published May 21, 2010
Modified May 21, 2010
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An 81-year-old Army vet from East Northport, Long Island is now behind bars for killing a squirrel. William Thomas was convicted in February of misdemeanor animal abuse, and is now serving out his 30-day sentence. According to Newsday, he used a pellet gun to shoot the animal at his home back in 2008, and neighbors have told authorities that the old man would leave bait in his yard and shoot at animals from a window. He's been arrested 12 times in 5 years for wildlife violations.
His daughter has expressed concern over proper medical treatment while locked up, as he allegedly has a host of health problems, including dementia and hypothyroidism. She told the paper, "He has a lot of confusion and dizziness. Hopefully, the people in there have respect for the elderly."
Thomas says that he'll be a model inmate, and plans to "do everything they ask me to do [and] refrain from causing [any] problems while I'm incarcerated." As for his animal victims, he says he has nothing against them, (*shakes fist*) "only when they try to destroy my property."
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long island
squirrel
squirrel kiling
Wiliam Thomas
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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