DEAR SUN SPOTS: There is a fellow in the neighborhood who hates squirrels. In an effort to get rid of them, he has set up multiple Havahart traps on his property to catch them.

While these traps are designed to be humane, instead of removing a squirrel from the trap once it is caught, he instead elects to leave it in there, where it scrambles around trying to escape for several days until it finally dies of thirst and/or starvation. Is this practice legal?

Mind you, this is taking place within view of other households in the neighborhood, including families with young children. — Saddened via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots can’t believe you haven’t already reported this guy to the authorities. Even varmints have the right to a humane death.

A youthful Sun Spots would have gone out at night and let them loose, then sold his traps on eBay! However, it is always best to turn these things over to the authorities.

Since you didn’t specify a location, Sun Spots asked Sgt. David Chick, the inspector of police for the Lewiston Police Department, what action should be taken. He wrote:

“I am attaching a link to a couple of the state statutes: mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/7/title7sec4011.html and mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/17/title17sec1031.html.

“1D and 1G would seem to apply to any animal domestic or wild; however, 2B might seem to provide some defense where squirrels are rodents which are considered to be pests, as defined by statute (mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/7/title7sec604.html) … Except, I would personally argue that the manner in which this is purported to be ‘executed’ would be considered unduly causing pain and torture in bringing death to the animal, and therefore an aggravating factor being illegal (1031 1-B).

“If the squirrels qualify as a nuisance, and execution is an option which is elected to be performed, it should be carried out in such a manner to be swift and as humane as possible, and preferably not put on such a public display which manifests a depraved indifference to animal life by that person.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Alley Cats L/A is having its biggest yard sale ever and needs your readers’ good stuff.

Drop-off dates are Aug. 7 and 8 at 55 Strawberry Ave. in Lewiston.

The sale will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.

Residents who are feeding stray cats can call us for help to trap, neuter and return those felines, which helps reduce the populations and allows the cats to live better lives.

For more information, call the shelter at 783-2311 or me. — Melanie, 784-1553

ANSWER: What a contrast between Melanie and her efforts to help homeless cats and the man killing squirrels.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the man looking for foam for a cot mattress, I work for Kelly’s Fabric Connection, which just opened in February. We are a fabric store specializing in the auto, home and marine trades. We have foam, vinyl, drapery, upholstery, quilting cottons, zippers, binding, grommets, buttons, sockets, etc.

Please check out kellysfabricconnection.com for our full line of products. We are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. You can find us at 808 Main St., Lewiston, 207-753-3054. — Mandy Russell, website operations

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a tote and two plastic bags full of knitting worsted yard to give to someone, or perhaps a nursing home or other organization would like to have it.

I can’t use it anymore. They will have to pick it up. Please call after 9 a.m. — Natalie, Mechanic Falls, 345-9056

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing is recruiting sewers to help create baby bonnets for its No Sun for Babies program.

This program provides information and education about sun safety from birth through adulthood to all new parents. Each baby is given a hand-sewn sun bonnet created by Dempsey Center volunteers.

The goal is to protect babies from birth, and to provide education to new parents. Prior to six months of age babies should be kept entirely out of the sun. Sunscreen should not be used until six months of age.

The Dempsey Center will supply baby bonnets to Central Maine Medical Center, Bridgton and Rumford hospitals.

Sewers interested in helping the Dempsey Center create bonnets are urged to email [email protected] or call 795-8259. — Randall Dustin, [email protected]

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].