Squirrels have become so popular in Moscow that people have taken to stealing them from parks to keep or sell them as pets.
Squirrels have become so popular in Moscow that people have taken to stealing them from parks to keep or sell as pets.
Officials are not on board with the trend and have begun handing out fines to those who are caught capturing the animals where it is apparently a crime.
The penalties can be as much as 570 dollars, and the city has begun sending out additional police patrols to enforce them.
In hopes of further deterring individuals from nabbing or buying them, the head of Moscow’s ecological control unit pointed out that squirrels don’t actually make very good companion animals.
He said they’re best ‘enjoyed from a distance’ as they have a tendency to bite. Further, as they’re not domesticated, houses are not suitable environments for them.
In tight, shared spaces they’ve been known to make people sick.
Nonetheless, some sites that sell the furry little creatures for upwards of 140 dollars promote them as being ‘friendly and gentle’.
One animal lover who enjoys spending time with squirrels the proper way – in the park – thinks the fines should be much steeper.
She also thinks the poachers should be pelted with snow.
