Poor Groundhog or Not ?

I live in Pennsylvania where Groundhog Day, February 2 is a big day for the community of Punxsutawney. It has been a tradition for years that during the early morning hours the groundhog comes out and everyone waits to see if he sees his shadow or not. If he sees his shadow we have six more weeks of winter. If he does not, we shall have an early Spring. Overall, winter in PA usually last through March and the month of April turns out to be a roller coaster as far as the weather is concerned.

We now have PETA, (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) putting in the suggestions that they set the ground hog free and use a robotic groundhog. Yes, the groundhog is pulled out of a tree trunk for thousands of people cheering but throughout the year this animal is well taken care of. He is raised from birth and has as good a treatment as a well treated child.

The ground hog is a rodent and breeds like a rodent. They have become major problems on farms because of over breeding. They make large and deep holes to live in. These holes cause a lot of problems as you would think. Livestock step into them which causes injury and many have to be destroyed. Tractors and machinery have been known to flip due to these holes. Farmers have been injured or killed.

My point is a lot of farmers and hunters shoot the groundhog anytime they can. It is almost hopeless to cut down their population. Living along a field where there is always food from crops is just too easy.

I am not making an excuse to keep a wild animal. I truly feel it is not right to keep a wild animal as a pet. In that case if the animal does what is instinct and a person is harmed who suffers? The animal who will be destroyed.

We now do have zoos where the animals have the area to roam. Not what they normally would have in the wild but they are treated well. They also serve as a teaching tool. Providing education to people about our wildlife and just how important they are to our earth. Some of these animals are too close to extinction.

So does the groundhog, Punsxy Phil. He has a home in the library where he is out of harms way and he can not harm anyone. He is well treated and provides an education about the groundhog.

Groundhog day is a fun tradition and has made a small community very popular. Year round people stop in to meet Phil and check out Gobbler's Knob where Phil's den is on his morning of the year. He has a group of gentlemen taking care of him year round and has the best of everything.

I understand what PETA stands for but i feel there are more important situations to deal with at this time. Too much more.

Everyone have a great Groundhog Day!