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Free Mary Franks
I love squirrels. I had one as a pet when I was a kid; a cute, fuzzy-faced rodent who chewed up phone cords and dug in Mom’s plants. Eventually, I was forced to set her free.
When Mary Franks, age 68, of Spokane Valley, had trouble with squirrels eating walnuts off her walnut tree she had planted, nurtured and gathered from, she had a solution.
A former horse owner, she strung hot wire around the walnut tree, squirrel height, and waited. Within a short time, she had nine electrocuted squirrels. To deter further raids, she hung the bodies from the fence.
The neighbor saw the squirrel carcasses and called SCRAPS, who subsequently issued Mary a ticket in October. She now faces a $10,000 fine per squirrel, time in jail, and had to acquire an attorney.
After her pretrial date on May 1, and preliminary hearing on June 25, she pleaded not guilty. Judge Michele Szanbekan has set her next court date for July 25, when detailed evidence and testimony will be used to prosecute Mary.
Boo! Hiss! to SCRAPS and our judicial system. Will I be prosecuted for mouse murder? Butchering? Fishing?
Free Mary Franks!
Nancy Hartley
Chattaroy