Skunk-Kill Plan Draws 30 Protesters

About 30 people had gathered Sunday to protest skunk extermination at Dana Point Harbor when suddenly, a familiar-looking black-and-white creature appeared.

A passerby, Virginia Frattarelli of Mission Viejo, stopped and stared into a storm drain where the skunk was observing the proceedings.

“Isn’t he cute?” Frattarelli said. “He’s probably more frightened than people are. . . . I understand getting rid of rattlesnakes, but these guys mind their own business.”

Her view would have found favor with the protesters who oppose Orange County’s efforts to trap and euthanize skunks after a handful of harbor restaurateurs and area residents complained about an increasing skunk population and stench. County officials have said they’ve tried to control the skunks through less severe tactics but have failed.

Members of the Society of Kind Understanding for Not Killing Skunks (SKUNK) are trying to persuade area residents that it is better to manage the disposal of food in the Dana Point Harbor than kill the skunks.

“Skunks are important to the balance of nature,” said Share Bond, who founded the group nine months ago. “They will kill rodents, scorpions, black widows and garden pests. If they are not startled or defending their young, they won’t spray.”

Passing out flyers with “skunk facts” and buttons that say “I’m a Lil’ Stinker,” the group tried to kindle some affection for the animals and set the record straight about their numbers and health.

“You would think there were 400 of them getting in rafts and coming over here the way people are talking,” said Patti Denys, a teacher from San Juan Capistrano.

“We are talking about 30 or 40 skunks,” Denys said as she waved a “Skunks Are Not Vicious Animals” sign.

Bond said if harbor restaurateurs and cat feeders are not able to control the amount of food in the area, she would rather see the skunks relocated than euthanized.

But state law prohibits the county from relocating skunks because they are listed as animals that carry diseases, including rabies.

Bond counters that there hasn’t been a case of rabies in Orange County in 35 years.

At least two restaurant owners have said the skunks disturb their customers by loitering and spraying noxious odors.

Still, about half of those who drove or walked past the protest expressed their support for the animals.

“We’re appalled,” said Ed Shinoda, who said his family walks along the harbor twice a week. “We see them, but they are not to the point where they need to kill them.”

Others seemed dubious of the group’s belief that if the skunks are left alone, they won’t spray.

“I just don’t think it’s going to work,” said one woman who asked not to be identified. “I have a skunk in my back yard that sprays for no reason.”

Joe Macko of Rancho Santa Margarita said that although he hadn’t noticed them in the area, he was not opposed to killing them.

“There’s no natural predator here,” Macko said, “and you can’t just transport the problem somewhere else. There has to be some control.”