Henry Crawford wrote:

"Being practical is more important than being humane toward mice. " This is
a very broad statement that is not supported by any major religious
tradition or ethical system. Humanness towards sentient beings is the
cornerstone of most religions and adherence to these principles are seen by
many people as both morally necessary and also practical. The call towards
"practicality" in itself is a false issue, since what that term usually
means is responding to short-term perceived needs juxtaposed with more
complex principles that impact people, and the world, in longer terms. The
type of thinking suggested here is a call to laziness.

"You have much higher issues to think about than the lives of a few mice."
What higher issue can there be in a normal museum context than to act in its
own interests in a thoughtful, moral and humane manner?

"Get them declawed if you wish to save your precious Late Victorian
horsehair setee [sic]." While I have known a few cats that were decent
mousers after being declawed, this is rather unusual. To declaw a cat means
that it becomes virtually defenseless in a setting where it may face
enemies. Only cats that are guaranteed a protected apartment existence for
all their natural lives should be considered as candidates for this
procedure. To me, this sentence in another indicator of lazy thinking-not a
good thing in a museum professional.

"Forget humane and protect the house, its contents, and the health and
well-being of your staff, volunteers, board, and visitors.  Get real."
Another false dichotomy is being created here. The protection of a museum,
its staff and everyone involved is a very high priority but that priority
does not contradict the need for humane action in a Pest Management Plan.
Pests may have to be killed, but then that act needs to be as humane as
possible. Many Americans oppose the death penalty, but event he most
strident anti-capital punishment protestor would agree that executions by
lethal injection is more humane than electrocution or drawing and
quartering. There needs to be no contradiction between effective pest
management and humane actions.

The reason that established museums have Pest Management Plans or programs
is precisely because these institutions attempt to meet their own needs in a
thoughtful, humane and practical manner. The call to unthinking slaughter of
the writer of the quoted sentences is highly disturbing, and is in
contradiction to most museum practices that I am aware of.
nburlakoff



-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Henry B. Crawford
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 9:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: sticky traps and Pest Management

> My question here is what should we do?  What would the museum response
> be to hiring two cats.  Certainly, it might be more humane than sticky
> traps or other types.  And in this instance, it is this letter
> writer's opinion that this would be an excellent solution.

 I suspect
that you wouldn't hesitate to crush cockroaches and ants or swat flies at
the first opportunity.  Mice are cute, but they're pests where they're not
wanted.  I say do whatever you have to do to rid your valuable and
historically significant historic house of field mice and snakes or two.
Use sticky traps, spring traps, live traps, fumigation, cats, brooms, BB
guns, whatever it takes (well, maybe not BB guns, but you get my meaning).
 Judging from the description and inherent structural issues of the house
you
will always have problems with critters coming in.  The cats were a good
idea because they work cheap and they require little more maintenance than
you already do.  These things are much more important than the
lives of a few mice and some snakes.  Kill the pests and save your
historical/cultural investment.  Develop an integrated pest management
program that includes treatment, prevention, cleanliness, monitoring, and
staff/volunteer education, but don't get squeamish about killing mice.

HBC

***************************************
Henry B. Crawford
Curator of History
Museum of Texas Tech University
Box 43191
(4th and Indiana)
Lubbock, TX  79409-3191
[log in to unmask]
806/742-2442  FAX 742-1136
Website: http://www.museum.ttu.edu
***  Living History . . . Because It's There  ***

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