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To the Editor: 

I was appalled to read of Berkeley Councilmember Linda Maio’s proposal in the Aug. 17 Daily Planet to neuter raccoons. I assume her ultimate goal with such a suggestion is to eliminate raccoons altogether, or to greatly decimate their numbers. 

Raccoons are one of the few remnants of an area once rich with a variety of wildlife. And yes, they are pesky – we can all produce anecdotes to prove that. In my experience it was a reduction of the fish population in my pond from 12 to three. But they are also smart, funny and incredibly tough survivors, and I like to see them in what is an increasingly urbanized/concretized Bay Area. They remind me of how glorious this area must have been 100 years ago, when raccoons didn’t have to dig around for a couple of pathetic cookies in a car someone left open. 

We can all take steps to protect ourselves from raccoon mischief. But really, are they the most threatening creatures in our lives? What about the creatures who constantly run red lights? Now there’s a group to consider neutering. 

Diane Joy, 

Berkeley