Minn. Principal Who Shot Kittens Resigns (on school grounds)

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2006/oct/14/101409083.html

INDUS, Minn. (AP) - A school principal has resigned and could face felony firearm charges after he shot and killed two orphaned kittens on school property last month.

Wade Pilloud, who resigned as principal of the K-12 Indus school, 40 miles west of International Falls, said he shot the kittens to spare them from starving to death after their mother was killed in an animal trap.

Pilloud said the shooting, which occurred on school grounds, endangered no one.

"I have bred cats, and I currently own two myself," he wrote Friday in an e-mail to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "I am not a cat hater. I did not want the animals to suffer."

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[BleedingHeartPatriot]

1. A school principal shoots two kittens on school grounds. I'm feeling

way creeped out now.

The article states that several students were still on campus for after school activities.

If my kid's at that school, I'm demanding of the school board, "WTF?!?"

MKJ

[roguevalley]

23. this is an appalling act. I have never had a principal that wasn't a

nazi fuck. that is why I am retired now.

[WinkyDink]

24. Same here! And Superintendents are even worse!

[Downtown Hound]

2. Ever hear of animal control doofus?

He says he shot them to prevent them from starving to death. He could have made one phone call to animal control and at least given them a chance.

[darkmaestro019]

6. Ever hear of cat food?

Yeah, really, stores have BAGS of food designed to feed to cats. So they won't, like, starve. Yanno.

[Kali]

57. That was my reaction.

Were ANY other options looked at? And shooting them at a school? WTF?

[LiberalHeart]

78. I thought they were so young they needed their mom, or hand feeding.

But there are people who volunteer to do that ... they have to feed the kittens every few hours 'round the clock, but the babies at least have a chance of making it.

[pk_du]

3. Wrong in so many ways...

loaded gun on school grounds?
bullet in head over animal shelter or give them away to takers?
cat killed in animal trap (presumably on school grounds?)

..and this guy was a Principal?

[KayLaw]

4. Cat breeder?

Sorry. That alone sounds bad. Shame they don't have the Humane Society up there. :eyes:

[Arugula Latte]

21. He's part of the problem.

It infuriates me that there are millions of wonderful kitties without homes and breeders are intent on producing more more more! :grr:

[LeftyMom]

31. I'm not surprised.

Animals only get to live if they're a source of pleasure or profit.

[elocs]

5. He will simply be off to another school

in another town, city, or state. Carrying on his humane ways.

[Lady Freedom]

70. A nice school in the middle of ...

a war zone would be what he needs!!!!!!!!see if he likes traps and bullets!!!!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. I personally would have hand-fed them instead of shooting them...

I also would not have had a firearm in my possession at a school... but maybe I'm just strange that way.


rip babies. :(

[gully]

8. Hate to advocate for a cat murderer but .......

In that area many - if not most people come from farms and they hunt. As such, they are used to handling situations like this in a manner of this nature. Also note that this town is on the canadian border, not terribly far from Red Lake where the school shootings occurred last year.

How quickly we forget. It’s been over a year and a half since the shootings at Red Lake High School. A lone gunman killed nine people and then himself in the second bloodiest school shooting in American history.

But the bloodbath was hardly mentioned oven the recent spate spate of school shootings in Colorado, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Columbine no doubt came up. Red Lake? Not even on the map anymore. Folks on national TV rarely mentioned it. Yet, the shootings will always remain a source of concern at the remote and largely isolated American Indian reservation in northern Minnesota.

http://blogs.twincities.com/roll_call/2006/10/red_lake_revisi.html

My guess is that this is perhaps why he had a gun? Or he may have had the gun in his vehicle for hunting?

That said, there was definitely a better way to handle the situation. It's a shame for the kids and for the big oaf who thought it was a great idea to kill kittens around school children.

[Skip Intro]

12. Its a real shame for the kittens. nt

[gully]

15. I think that's obvious. But they are not starving and freezing in the

Minnesota cold, which would be more of a shame. I'm glad they're not suffering. I have a houseful of animals myself and could never harm a kitten. I have a hard time killing spiders personally.

Already, U.S. animal shelters are forced to kill an estimated 15 million homeless cats and dogs annually. The alternative to humane euthanasia for almost every stray is a violent end or slow, painful death. Many "throwaways" die mercilessly outdoors from starvation, disease, abuse --- or as food to a predator.

http://www.feralcat.com

On edit, there is an animal shelter 40 minutes from Indus in International Falls. To bad he didn't call them.

[nam78_two]

9. HUH?

:wtf:

I guess looking to see if one of these is an option was too much to ask:
http://www.aspca.org/site/FrameSet?style=Shelter

Why was there an animal trap on the school grounds...?

Also "bred cats" seems very shady...

[Rex]

10. The guy never heard of an animal shelter?

Sometimes you have to kill an animal, because it can not survive even with help. This was not one of those. The guy should have his gun license taken away.

[Withywindle]

11. WTF is wrong with some people?

Got an inconvenience? Kill it! What the hell, it's just a living thing, it doesn't matter.


GREAT role model for kids. :sarcasm:

[kestrel91316]

13. It never occurred to catch them and take them to a vet or the pound

for HUMANE EUTHANASIA or ADOPTION???

I'd say what I'd like to do to this man, slowly and painfully, but it might get me in trouble.

[MADem]

14. I have a dog who was fed similac from birth

Found in a dumpster, newborn, eyes still closed.
A miracle pooch, but he's coming up on 13 years old in a few months.

I had a cat in similar straits that lived to be just a month or two shy of 22.

[Botany]

16. This sounds bad but it might have been the kindest thing to do.

Feral cats live very short and brutal lives. Feline leukemia, fights,
cars, starvation, other wild animals, disease, and parasites all take
their toll. Plus feral cats hammer the native population of snakes,
birds, and small animals too.

Odds are real good that if they were rescued by animal control
that would have been "put down" too.

[ovidsen]

17. I see your point

The poor things probably didn't feel a thing, and that beats a slow diseased death.

But summary execution on the playground?

Nope. That's why there's Animal Control.

Full disclosure: I love cats.

[Botany]

20. The man might have been from a farm and by his "standards"

.... he did the right thing. I doubt he felt any joy in it and
he might have seen it as a nasty job that needed to be done.

Although, I don't know all the particulars in this case so
I am just speculating about things. Remember this is
up in Northern Minnesota and "he" might see things differently
then you do. In many rural areas people "take care" of things
themselves.

Many "wild" kittens are loaded with problems that cost tons
of money to cash strapped rural agencies ...... and even w/
aggressive vet care the future for those kittens might have been
grim.

I had a cat as young boy and since then I have had retrievers ....
I still remember loading my best buddy in the truck and driving him to
the vet for the last time .... it wasn't easy.

[Pithlet]

46. That could be, but I don't care.

Having a weapon on school grounds and discharging it, particularly when children are still on campus, isn't going to fly, no matter his own personal standards. And has the idiot ever heard of an animal shelter? I'm sorry. I understand there are cultural differences between urban and rural life. Even though I'd never hunt or shoot an animal in a million years, there are hunters and farmers in my family, so I understand the culture. There was no excuse for what that principal did. If the principal for my son's school did this, I'd demand a resignation and I'd press the DA to prosecute. It's ridiculous.

[Kali]

59. I can completely agree with all of this EXCEPT for doing it on school

property. No excuse.

[wickerwoman]

81. That's ridiculous...

I used to work on a farm and at least twice a month people would drive by and dump kittens, puppies, rabbits, etc. in cardboard boxes outside our barn. We always called animal control and they were always there the same day. I was on a first name basis with most of the animal control officers after only six or seven months.

[SheilaT]

25. If they were kittens

they really weren't feral. Being handled by humans would have made them completely adapted to people. And even if they were so feral already that they were completely unsuitable for adoption, surely bringing them to an animal shelter to be euthanized would have been better.

And yeah, what this guy was doing with a loaded gun on school property is probably the biggest problem.

[Lady Freedom]

71. And what was he thinking when he put out killing traps???

God forbid a child put a hand in that thing!!!

[gully]

18. Thanks for the post.

I think people can view this from many perspectives.

[haf216]

29. I have four "feral" in my apartment right now.

I am fostering them until they are ready for adoption. They were strays whose mother was killed by a car. The person who found them did reach for her gun (thank God), she called my rescue group. Yes, I had to work with them for about two days to get them to trust me, but now they are very loving. All the guy had to do is pick up the phone!!

[LeftyMom]

30. In most areas animal control offers humane euthanasia

A call to any local vet could also have arranged for a gentle end.

Anyhow, what are the chances that nobody at the school would offer them a home? Did he look?

[RoyGBiv]

33. Nonsense ...

I've helped recuse numerous kittens that would fit this particular definition of "feral," and the majority of them have lived perfectly happy lives with families.

That is, a feral "cat" is something different than a feral "kitten." Kittens can adapt and aren't automatically burdened with the diseases you mention.

I've also adopted or been part of a rescue of feral cats or other cats that were inflicted with disease. Their short lives were happy. My recently departed Petey had lived on the streets for 2 years or so and had FLV, which killed him in the end, but he enriched my life while he was alive, and he lived in a comfortable happy home for a couple years that had to be far better than having a bullet passed through his brain, as though he were worthless simply because he was sick.

Besides, even in the worst case scenario, humanely euthanizing a stray is a far better alternative to taking out a gun and shooting the animal if for no other reason than the fact a school administrator should not, for any reason, have a weapon on school grounds and furthermore should not be using it to kill anything that's not an invading army trying to kidnap the children to be sold into slavery ... or something.

[phillysuse]

19. He should have given them to Senator Frist

the cat killer....

[Mz Pip]

22. This little critter

was left in a box next to the fence of the school where my son teaches. He heard her crying when he came to work. The principal gave him a towel for the box to keep her warm. He called me and I picked her up and bottle fed her until she was old enough to adopt out. We found her a good home and she is one lucky and happy kitty. The principal did not shoot her, thank goodness. BTW, what was the principal doing with a gun on campus????



Mz Pip
:dem:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

26. He's adorable!

:loveya:

[niyad]

43. how adorable!!! looks part russian blue

[RevCheesehead]

27. My two new kitties are feral rescues.

Wonderful organization called "Cats Anonymous" gets them healthy, gives them vaccines, spay/neuter, and put in foster care until some lucky soul (!) gets to adopt them. Adult ferals are ear-tipped and released back, after getting fixed and vaccinated.

Just look at these adorable guys!
CC is in front, and Keith is to the left.
The white kitty, Bullseye, is still available. :)

[niyad]

44. they are adorable

[Blue_Tires]

28. am i the only one shocked that

1. the principal had a loaded gun on school grounds

2. the principal saw fit to fire the gun on school grounds with students present, even though no one's life was in inherent danger??

[electron_blue]

50. no you're not. This is what I find the most shocking

[Lady Freedom]

76. The whole thing shocks me!

A loaded gun on school grounds, a trap made to kill around children, firing the gun on school grounds, shooting something like kittens near children where they could see and/or hear it (as well as find out what happened). My God what a horrid thing in every aspect!

[AtomicKitten]

32. yeah, a shotgun blast to the face is way more humane

dumbass

[Maestro]

34. How difficult would it have been to

call animal control. I'm an assistant principal in a school and I have done just this with a horribly malnutritioned and diseased kitten we found on grounds. And what the heck is he doing a firearm on school grounds?

[Lady Freedom]

77. Thats what I want to know! What was a gun doing there?

And why did he put such a dangerous thing like that trap near where a child may find it??

[ScreamingMeemie]

35. Usually "spare them from starving to death" includes feeding them, Asshole

:cry:

[Reciprocity]

55. The only thing in this thread that made me smile. Good point.

[Haole Girl]

36. I have heard of stupid or mean people, but I've got to say..

...I've rarely heard of anyone both so entirely stupid and cruel.

[Haole Girl]

37. *** Wade Pilloud **** is his name

Etch it into your memory, because he'll probably move into another school district and work in another school, knowing how these things go.

** Wade Pilloud **** is his name

[Lady Freedom]

39. Got his mailing address??? I would LOVE to send this guy a letter!!!

Dear Mr Pilloud
:wtf: do you think you are doing!!!!!! First, having a GUN on SCHOOL PROPERTY???? And then KILLING KITTENS near sensitive CHILDREN!!!??? Did you fall on your head when you were young?? Gee Wiz!! What A :kick: !!! No,not the Democrat symbol, but as in the real kind that you find on the end of a Donkey!!!

[Haole Girl]

40. This is as far as I've gotten so far...

http://education.state.mn.us/ReportCard2005/schoolDistrictInfo.do?SCHOOL_NUM=090&DISTRICT_NUM=0363&DISTRICT_TYPE=01

I'm still digging. I'd like to see his photo.

[LeftyMom]

41. Contact info is not hard to find, shows up in the white pages.

The listed town is close to the school on Google Maps. I rather doubt there are two Wade Pillouds in the same rural area, I think we can assume it's the guy.

I won't post it because it's against the user agreement, but I'd encourage anybody who wants to look the guy up and give him a letter or a phone call. Abusers of the innocent need to know that they are identified and that we will not tolerate thier behavior in a civilized society. A call, email or letter to teh school board imploring them to fire the fucker would not be misplaced, either.

[Haole Girl]

47. The article said:

Pilloud agreed to an undisclosed settlement and resigned.

Another article stated, Pilloud lived in a mobile home on school property during weekdays.

http://wcco.com/crime/local_story_287184201.html

He probably lives with his mother now.

[LeftyMom]

48. "Undisclosed settlement?"

Jesus. Anything shy of "you agree to get your pistol-toting yosemite sam ass out of town and we agree not to tar and feather you" was far too generous.

[Haole Girl]

53. Really...

...I have exacted my "google justice" on him. I google his name, Wade Pilloud, over & over, with the words "shot kittens." Maybe some day, when he is trying to get another job, his perspective employer will find the truth. One can only hope. Plus, it made me feel better.

I purposely avoided this story yesterday...because I knew I would get so angry.

[niyad]

60. have followed your suggestion--wade pilloud kitten killer and

wade pilloud shot kittens --not a lot showing up yet, but I am sure we can boost the hits.

[Haole Girl]

61. "Wade Pilloud killed kittens"

...works in Google now. I hope the words stay attached to his name for eternity, at least in cyberspace, so people will know.

[Lady Freedom]

62. once in Google, always in google!!

I hope he ends up in every news blog in the country!!!

[Richard Steele]

80. Same here; nice suggestion!

I'm keeping that in a seperate tab, so I can click "search" a few dozen times a day...

[Lady Freedom]

38. Pardon me but what about call.. oh say... THE HUMAN SOCIETY!!!!!

The JERK!!! What an asshole!!!:mad: :grr: :nuke:

[niyad]

42. have gone through various searches, cannot find phone for hiim

[derby378]

45. Two words: NO-KILL SHELTER

This principal might not have wanted the kittens to suffer, but his handling of the situation is what Carlos Mencia would refer to as "DEE-DEE-DEEEEEEE!"

[Lady Freedom]

51. Pilloud is the biggest one of all!!!!!

He is the KING DEE!!! He is such dumb :kick: that he should be the Repuke pick for president!

[electron_blue]

49. oh for gawd's sake

Is nobody even THINKING anymore? Is this really the example he wants to set for the children?

[Lady Freedom]

52. I still want to know why he had a GUN at school?????

What the :nuke: was he thinking?!?!?!?!

[electron_blue]

65. Yes, I agree.

[Reciprocity]

54. Sounds like he killed the mother too.

"mother was killed in an animal trap"

[Haole Girl]

56. Yes. You have to dig, but I found it here:

http://wcco.com/crime/local_story_287184201.html

He had set traps to catch pests under the mobile home. But last month, he found a mother cat in the trap and two kittens nearby.

Seems like the mother cat had the "pests" under control before bozo took things into his own hands.

Do you know...this has made international news? I mean, when there are rodent problems in Italy and Greece the stray cats kill them. Here, though, we kill the cats and then wonder why there are rodents...and then call "The Orkin Man." How stupid is that?

[Lady Freedom]

58. He put a trap the kids could have put their hands in near a place they...

play and learn at??? This trap was a killing trap. God only knows what could have happened to a child's hand or foot!!! Oh this guy is at the top of my list of dumb :kick: es.

[Blue Diadem]

69. That dumb fuck killed the mother too? OMG

That had to be a horrible death for her.

[Reciprocity]

63. I think he should be stripped.....

of his teacher certification for endangering children.
First the gun on campus alone.
Second firing a gun on campus.
Third the kill trap where children could be injured by it.

If a student, parent or stranger had done this, can you imagine what would legally would have happened?

[Haole Girl]

64. You know...

Your last sentence really says it all. I think it's the abuse of power, and the slap on the wrist he got, that really makes me wonder. I mean, what kind of message has that sent to those school children? If we aren't careful, we will raise a whole generation of sociopaths...who will completely lack empathy for the suffering of others.

[xchrom]

66. as a child he tortured the animals to death.

now he just makes quick work of it -- in and around the children.

clever way to pass on the brutality.

***i have no real idea if tortured animals as a child -- but the scope of what he did is so outrageous i felt quite comfortable saying it.

[skygazer]

67. Is anybody else appalled that this asshole resigned?

Instead of being fired?! And yes, I think it's reprehensible that he killed the poor things instead of calling animal control but the fact that he had a damn gun on school property AND discharged it - what happens to kids who bring a pocketknife to school? They get thrown out - this moran gets an "undisclosed settlement" and resigns? :banghead:

edited because in the heat of the moment, I forgot an "o". :o

[BreweryYardRat]

68. All in favor of impaling this scum...say aye.

I really hate people like this.

[BarenakedLady]

72. Blech

I can't even think about it anymore.

[bridgit]

73. why didn't he just scoop them up & take them in for adoption...

[Haole Girl]

74. Because Wade Pilloud is the poster child Fucktard...

...they should put his photo next to the definition of Fucktard.

By the way, if anybody can find a photo of Wade Pilloud, I'd like to see it. Thanks.

[bridgit]

75. ah, that's what i was thinking too...

:puke:

[donheld]

79. Minn. Principal Who Shot Kittens (on school grounds) Resigns

Sorry I couldn't stand that heading anymore than I could stand the shooting of the kittens. :eyes::crazy::banghead: