Crime & Safety

Man Ticketed for Shooting at Squirrels in Urbandale

Shooting a pellet gun within the Urbandale city limits is not allowed -- even if you have a hunting license.

An Urbandale man was cited by police for using a pellet gun to shoot at squirrels in his backyard Friday morning, according to the Des Moines Register.

Officers were called to the 3900 block of 76th Street, where John Erickson was reportedly firing a pellet gun at squirrels in a tree located on his property. Erickson, 23, was wearing camouflage and did not say why he was shooting the squirrels, said Urbandale Police Department spokesman Officer Randy Peterson.

Erickson told police he had to shoot the animals in the head to kill them, the Register said. Officers found two dead squirrels on the deck of Erickson's house.

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Erickson, who has a valid hunting license, was cited for discharging a weapon within city limits, a simple misdemeanor, the Register reported.


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