Residents upset after Md. deputy shoots groundhog blocking traffic

(WARNING: Video may be graphic for some viewers) A Carroll County sheriff's deputy shot a groundhog that was holding up traffic Monday morning.

SYKESVILLE, MD. —

Some Maryland residents are upset after video posted to social media showed a deputy shoot a groundhog that was blocking traffic.

According to WBAL-TV, a Carroll County sheriff’s deputy confronted a groundhog that he said was creating a hazard by blocking traffic in both directions due to being in the roadway.

The video, which quickly went viral on Facebook, showed the woodchuck running toward the deputy instead of away, and then he shoots.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/residents-upset-after-deputy-shoots-groundhog-blocking-traffic/NZsPzP9nMSXgVYs3TVrbBN/

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Comment by Burbia on May 10, 2018 at 6:32pm: Six more weeks of winter confirmed. Groundhog was shadowed by police.

Comment by Diana on May 9, 2018 at 7:26pm: A groundhog should have the right to block the road if Antifa has the right.

Comment by John Carman on May 9, 2018 at 4:00pm: I am Ex-Cop & Fed with ALL kinds of State, Local and Federal training.
It does look bad as the Cop/Trooper could have tried to scare it but these animals are protecting a nest of young near by or hunting for food.
Sometimes, an Animal Control officer can be called, but they were already in the rural areas.
There are exceptions, but I would have tried to herd the animal to the other side without making excessive hand movements and talk quietly.
It appeared the office was almost allowing the badger to get across , but shot it.(Not good)
If ALL previous attempts Fails, and you have cars backed up, sometimes you have time to engage in other "options". If the Animal appears to be "sick" or injured and there are no other options, the officer has an option to end the animals life if it is a "public hazard" or a threat to himself for others.
I almost had to put a Deer out of it's misery as it was hit by a car in the evening hours, but by the time I got "permission", it had already died. At least I was there talking to the Deer and holding it.
Badgers and other animals are different and will bite. Some may have rabies.
Too bad there wasn't an Animal Control Officer near by to use a special neck pole or other device, and Tranquilizer darts. Even Pepper spray or MACE might have had an affect. Or just plain water......
Even feeding wild animals is against the laws in most states.
Judging from what I saw, I would have backed off to let the Badger go freely, but I was not there.
Each situation is different.
I've seen other cases where the Feds put down a young Bison because they coudl not put it back with the Herd due to the scent. Once the scent has "Human" smell on it, they abandon the young.
At least take it to a proper Animal Refuge somewhere.
Sad.....I love animals but we have to be able to deal with ALL species and not just one.