Some pre-teenaged louts who repulsed a Cornwall, PEI town councillor by twirling a dead chipmunk in front of her have set off an anguished debate about youthful mores, parental responsibility, budding serial killers and the sanctity of life.

From the July 20 PEI Guardian article: (thanks, Kevin O!)

“There were seven or eight kids,” said (councillor Irene) Dawson, describing her arrival at the entrance to a Cornwall subdivision and the group of youths she met there, ages about seven to 11 years old.

“They had a sign saying “dead animals for sale,” and one of them was holding the dead chipmunk, holding it up and using his hands to make it move like it was a rock star,” said Dawson.

“In my opinion, it was extremely tasteless. One of them begged me to buy it and take it home to bury it.”

There was a mocking tone to the event and when Dawson stopped and tried to speak to the children she was met with derision and indifference.

Dawson was addressing Cornwall's monthly town council meeting.

Councillor Kent Lannan wanted Dawson and council to know that such an incident was not a true reflection on the quality of youth or parents in Cornwall as a whole.

There were 68 comments attached to this story. Here's a selection:

Todd from PE writes: Whatever happened to Boys will be Boys ?
These overly-sensitive people are destroying civilization.

Kids playing with a dead chipmunk is one of our top news stories? Sad...

Chris from Cornwall, PE writes: I was also greeted by these kids and they wanted me to take it home and make a stew from it.

I found it very distasteful my self and I think that those childrens parents should do something to discipline them.

Mary from Cornwall, PE writes: I think there should be a curfew. Everyone under 30 should be home by midnight. And no one under 18 should be allowed outside at all without the supervision of a parent or guardian.
In my day, things like this didn't happen. 

silky from Halifax, n.s. writes: ... I suggest you google Animal Cruelty: The Key to Serial Minds:

But what do serial killers like Dahmer, Bundy and other like them have in common?

Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Andrew Cunanan, David Son of Sam Berkowitz and Albert Boston Strangler Desalvo were ALL cruel to animals before they started hurting people. Subsequently killer teenagers Eric Harris, Dylan Kiebold (Columbine HS) and Kip Kinkel were also known for their past history of animal cruelty. In the study from The Care of pets within abusing families, presented by DeViney & Lockwood, 88 percent of homes where animal abuse occurred, children were also abused .(That's pretty high percentage Folks!!!!!!)

Cornwall town councillor from PEI writes: I'm disappointed that there are no picture's.

i hope this dead chipmunk makes it on ebay, cause i'm ready to bid big.

HA! from PEI writes: I am sorry but i find this quite ridiculous. This whole province is a joke. the top news stories here are kids playing with a dead chip munk? one time it was the problem with the crows making noise in the morning?? i wonder if places like new york ever have people stumble upon this news , because i bet they laugh. ...

Jamie from ON writes: I bet these crazy Cornwall kids are driven to do such things by the crazy, swearing words of Nickelback.

Doug from QC writes: I think they should demand that this chipmunk come back and play a free concert.

LOL from PEI writes: waving dead chipmunks. What next, eating shaved beavers.