Profile photo for Rachel Bowden

I think this qualifies as an example.

I am an animal control officer. What that means is that I am commissioned to enforce laws that pertain to animals in my county/city (I have jurisdiction in both). I also rescue animals, impound animals, catch animals etc, etc, etc. One of my many tasks is to impounded sick or injured wildlife. We receive calls from the public via 911 (carry a radio and have a dispatcher) and our phone number.

One day we received a call about a squirrel that was injured and caught in someone's live trap. I was dispatched to the call. I arrive and a man greets me and takes me to his garage. I see the trap and the squirrel and come up with a way to get the squirrel out of his live trap and into my mobile carrier, so I can take it to get help.

Removing an animal from a live trap is a fairly easy process. However, transferring the animal from the trap to another cage (especially an angry animal) is something that takes a small bit of experience.

As I proceed to remove the squirrel from the trap the man stops me and tells me how to remove it (incorrectly). He also explains to me that squirrels have teeth and it could bite me. He was speaking to me as if I was a 5 year old that didn't speak his language.

I am pretty certain that this man has had very little to no experience handling wild squirrels. I on the other hand handle all types of animals all day long. I have also handled many squirrels. On top of that in my spare time I volunteer at a wildlife rescue and have vast experience with native wildlife (including squirrels). I can only assume that because I am 5′4,115lbs, wear makeup and have pretty nails that my badge and official uniform meant nothing to him.

This is just one example as I have had many. Including a UPS driver that felt the need to pull over and yell at me while I am catching a 15lb raccoon with signs of distemper. He was giving me directions on how and what to do. Yelling at me from across a busy street. Raccoons and bats happen to be my specialty, I knew exactly what I was doing.

View 100+ other answers to this question
About · Careers · Privacy · Terms · Contact · Languages · Your Ad Choices · Press ·
© Quora, Inc. 2025