How Animal Rights Activists Distort the Facts

One of the key strategies used by animal rights activists is to distort the facts about wildlife or role of wildlife data in an argument. Not that they are alone in this error, as it is a common technique in our politicized speech. But distorting the facts leads to bad policy making.

Animal rights protest activists picketing at fur trapping convention. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

In a recent article that included some comments from me, I stated that homeowners must be concerned about bats inside their house because of the risk of rabies. The risk is not from the presence in the attic but in the risk of their entering the living space. My comment was not meant to cause panic or “fear mongering” as one of my critics argued, but simply to emphasize the rabies exposure protocols of the state of Nebraska (Consult the NebGuide on Bats which delves into this more deeply). I agree that a longer piece would have made this important distinction more apparent, but the fact is I was correct in my comments about the risks bats inside structures pose to human-health and safety.

Unfortunately, my critic rather than agreeing with my comments and adding that that rabies amongst bats is very low, she/he distorted the facts by implication. In terms of raw numbers, my critic is absolutely correct. But my point wasn’t to discuss the statistical likelihood of being exposed to a rabid bat but to the fact that a bat in your home raises the possibility of being exposed to rabies. I never claimed that bat rabies was common. To distort the facts or distract from the facts is a common method of argument by the animal rights activist industry.

Bat Rabies in Nebraska

My comments are not without evidence. Visit http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/srd/rabies.htm and you will see the data on the number of positive rabies cases in Nebraska. The year isn’t even over and we have already had 9 cases of rabid bats. These aren’t speculative positives, but actual ones. Now I don’t know how many bats were tested in the state. But the number doesn’t matter to the persons who had to have a bat sent in for testing. Rabies is the like the lottery. It is hard to win, but if you do and don’t get treatment you die.

Regrettably, animal rights protest industry activists (not all of them but many in the rank and file) simply want to protect animals at all costs even if doing so puts lives at risk. I think that is disrespectful to the facts and to the dignity of humans. If you would like additional evidence visit Facts Animal Rights Activists Do Not Want You To Know.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a serious disease contracted from inhaling or coming into physical contact with droppings and rodents contaminated with the virus. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is more commonly known as simply “hantavirus.” No matter what you call hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, any disease with a 38% death rate for those infected, should be scary enough to get everyone’s attention. The typical source are mice in the class called peromyscus, which includes white-footed mice and deer mice.

CDC provides quality information on diseases of concern to public health such as Hantavirus. Image via Wikipedia

Don’t be Paranoid Get Educated

The challenge in getting information on zoonotic diseases is to find information that is both accurate and readable. Thankfully, the good people at the Centers for Disease Control have created a booklet on the subject.

{Stephen’s Academia.edu Page}

{WCC Store}

{Pest Geek Podcast}

{Stephen’s YouTube Channel}