THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 23, 1995 TAG: 9505200022
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
The story of pig slayer H. Kirby Burch started as farce, but the details that have emerged after a state investigation are no laughing matter. The trigger-happy director of conservation and recreation deserved the reprimand he got from Gov. George Allen, but it hardly goes far enough.
While passing through False Cape State Park last month, Burch whipped out a handgun and shot two wild pigs. He's been cleared of violating a number of laws. His position made acts that would have gotten an ordinary citizen in trouble permissible.
But permissible is not the same as right, and Allen called him on the carpet to make that point. ``While you did not violate a law,'' Allen told Burch, ``you clearly took advantage of your position.'' It's that kind of abuse of power that makes the public contemptuous of government officials.
And what, if anything, did Allen have to say about Burch's shameful behavior as an alleged sportsman? Nothing. Yet both men are described as avid hunters. Burch is not just a political crony but a hunting buddy of Allen's. But no honorable hunter would have left a suffering animal to die as Burch did.
According to the official report, Burch killed one pig, but wounded the second in the spine. Rather than put an end to the animal's pain, Burch saved his last bullet to defend himself against possible pig attack as he continued on his way.
What could he possibly have been thinking? It is a hunter's duty to treat his prey with respect and not to permit unneeded suffering. Did Burch imagine a crazed pig would attack his jeep? And do what, gore the tires? We're not talking rhino country here.
To leave the suffering pig behind was disgraceful conduct for any man. For a director of conservation and recreation it was appalling. It casts into bold relief Burch's often criticized lack of conservation credentials.
Burch may have been too barbaric to put the pig out of its misery, but what's George Allen's excuse for prolonging the agony of the commonwealth? A governor fond of hunting should enjoy hunting a successor to Burch. by CNB