First our Turtles and now....

Dear Southwest Ranches Friends and Neighbors:

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening and if I don't see you later…well then…Good Night!

What you are about to read is a true story. What you need to do as residents is clear.

During the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend a group of Latin men from Miami-Dade County decided to shop for their Thanksgiving dinner within the parameters of Southwest Ranches. Many of us have agricultural exemptions that allow us to have such edibles as turkeys, chickens, pigs, cows and even emu's on our property. The men from Miami-Dade seem to view Southwest Ranches as their private supermarket. What items were on the menu and how did they go about procuring them? Read on.

The men swam across a canal and entered onto one of our resident's private property, posted with no trespassing signs and another sign which, in this case, will break the hearts of many readers. The other sign reads "Certified Wildlife Habitat."

Please don't consider me naïve when I tell you that the "Miami-Dade" shoppers' menu item was iguanas. True, iguanas are not indigenous to our area, but they, through no fault of their own, have made a home here and instinctively know what areas may be safer for them to live. The iguanas are a delicacy for some people. Those people think that the ranches is their supermarket. This must stop.

One of the men was caught on the private property and all four men were detained until police arrived. Only one of the men was able to produce identification. One large iguana had already been captured. Iguanas like lobsters, clams and turtles are kept alive until the moment of consumption. The already captured iguana had its rear legs and tail bound in a heavy hemp rope and its front legs secured over its back in "handcuffing" style. The "handcuffs" that bound the iguanas front legs were in actuality, its own long sharp toenails that had been pierced through the opposite legs toe. The men were ordered to unbind the iguana at which point the rope was removed and the front legs were torn apart with the iguana losing its toes.

The men were not arrested for trespassing or animal cruelty. They were free to go.
Folk's, we have been fighting the turtle poaching in our area for years. Just because a creature is not indigenous to our area should not be reason to allow this kind of cruelty and law breaking to occur. Outsiders come into our area in alarming numbers and have no reservations about entering onto your property and harvesting your charges. This must stop!

Folk's, I encourage you to be vigilant. EVERY TIME you see a vehicle you don't recognize in our area, especially around a canals edge, call the police. This is quite out of hand now. Allowing outsiders free roam of private property without the consequence of incarceration. What will it take for these trespassers and thieves to be arrested? Must we be found dead in our beds before something is done? How far onto our properties are they allow to come before action will be taken? Call the police...call the police...call the police.

That's all Folks!!!

A very P*****d Off Wanch Waggler

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