After years of violence on and off the stage, Mark E. Smiths not what youd call a pacifist. However, violent tendencies or not, you still wouldnt expect the Fall lynchpin to declare himself a murderer of squirrels. Yes, squirrels those furry, nut-loving tree dwellers. In a recent interview with Uncut, Smith shared his hatred for the rodents, which has now landed him in hot water with animal rights group RSPCA.
"[I would] happily set about an endangered red squirrel with a set of professional hedge-clippers, Smith told Uncut. "Squirrels mean nothing to me. I killed a couple last weekend actually. They were eating my garden fence.
After reading this in the magazines May issue, RSPCA was less than amused, leading the organisation to threaten legal action against Smith. "The comments made by Mark E. Smith are extremely irresponsible and he has basically admitted to committing an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act by killing two red squirrels, RSPCA spokeswoman Klare Kennett told the Daily Mail. "We will certainly be investigating this alleged offence now it has been brought to our attention."
According to Drowned in Sound, killing the endangered red squirrel is no laughing matter in the UK, and anyone found guilty of messing with the critters faces up to six months in jail and/or a fine of about $40,000. However, Smith sounded pretty set in his squirrel-hating ways, saying, "My sisters are animal lovers and they had been leaving food out for these squirrels. They've got rats in the bloody house now. Serves 'em right."
"[I would] happily set about an endangered red squirrel with a set of professional hedge-clippers, Smith told Uncut. "Squirrels mean nothing to me. I killed a couple last weekend actually. They were eating my garden fence.
After reading this in the magazines May issue, RSPCA was less than amused, leading the organisation to threaten legal action against Smith. "The comments made by Mark E. Smith are extremely irresponsible and he has basically admitted to committing an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act by killing two red squirrels, RSPCA spokeswoman Klare Kennett told the Daily Mail. "We will certainly be investigating this alleged offence now it has been brought to our attention."
According to Drowned in Sound, killing the endangered red squirrel is no laughing matter in the UK, and anyone found guilty of messing with the critters faces up to six months in jail and/or a fine of about $40,000. However, Smith sounded pretty set in his squirrel-hating ways, saying, "My sisters are animal lovers and they had been leaving food out for these squirrels. They've got rats in the bloody house now. Serves 'em right."