Letters to the editor: Enforce speed limit, stop cruelty to opossums

Speed limit needs to be enforced

In reference to the subject “The 35 mph zone needs to be enforced,” I would like to remind the Pilot I had written a personal view on Jan. 11, 2011. I note the issue is still “alive” after all these years with no solution and many more accidents.

When will we all shout out and with one voice say “No more excuses, the law needs to be enforced!” I still will not turn right on red when leaving River Hills main entrance.

Lake Wylie

Stop cruelty to opossums

House Bill 574, which would decriminalize cruelty to opossums and nullify every other law relating to opossums in North Carolina between Dec. 29 and Jan. 2 each year, makes a mockery of the legal system and puts animals in danger.

This bill caters to the interests of one man – the organizer of Clay County’s New Year’s Eve Opossum Drop. It would allow him to continue terrorizing opossums by capturing them, confining them in a tiny box, dangling them above a rowdy crowd, and bombarding them with loud music and fireworks. Wildlife experts warn the stress of such abuse can be fatal to these shy animals.

If passed, this bill would grant anyone in North Carolina carte blanche to torture, dismember, or otherwise abuse and kill opossums during that time period.

A similar law was passed last year, but PETA’s legal challenge ensured that no live opossum was tormented at last year’s Opossum Drop, and it is expected that the law will be permanently struck down by the court. But now, the sponsors of HB 574 are trying to replace one unconstitutional law with another.

I urge readers to ask their state representatives to oppose this shameful bill today. Visit PETA.org to learn more.

Black Mountain, N.C.

This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 10:01 AM with the headline "Letters to the editor: Enforce speed limit, stop cruelty to opossums."