A groundhog in Eldersburg fell victim to being fatally shot by the Carroll County Sherriff’s Office on Sunday. The groundhog was found on Liberty Road, near White Rock Road. The Sheriff’s deputy had stoped traffic in both directions, and made attempts to clear the groundhog off the road. Meanwhile, Justyna Olkowska recorded the incident and posted a video of it on Facebook. That video went viral, as well as a YouTube video posted by CBS News, which has been viewed over 224,000 times.
Tweeters piped in with advice for other groundhogs:
Warning, groundhogs: Carrol County police will shoot you dead if you do not comply with instructions.
— Sean Gallagher [aka ⚡️🐀] of @ArsTechnica (@thepacketrat) May 8, 2018
Others have condemned the shooting
Obviously the animal wasn’t hurt.. looked more scared and disoriented.. doesn’t this county or city have an animal control office that would have been more equipped to handle this defenseless animal? Shame on this officer. Should be charged w animal cruelty.
— Dave Holmes (@CollinTaylorInc) May 8, 2018
