University of Nebraska-Lincoln wildlife damage project coordinator Stephen Vantassel co-authored a paper where he and his co-authors described a variety of inhumane means to kill cats, ranging from body-gripping traps to padded jaw foothold traps to gunshot.

In a 2005 University publication entitled The Probe: Newsletter for the National Animal Damage Control Association, Vantassel praises Rob Erickson for using an over-the-counter product sold under the brand name "nity-nite" for destroying skunks. Nity-nite is in fact, acetone, a.k.a. nail polish remover.

In these tough economic times, the Nebraska legislature shouldn't fund such frivolous and unscientific work. It's an embarrassment. Help stop the shoddy work being conducted by Mr. Vantassel. Ask the legislators to cut the funding of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Service wildlife program unless the Feral Cats and Their Management publication is retracted.