Dear Editor,
It was with dismay that I read recently of the practice of releasing balloons to remember a deceased loved one (The Eatonton Messenger, pg. A1, Feb. 23). There has been much written about this deadly balloon blight that harms so many animals that mistake (balloons) for food. It is still seen as a way to promote love and remembrance; instead, it is a death sentence for wildlife.
Will it take a bold stance involving a written law to get these misguided souls to swap this deadly practice for something more advantageous to wildlife?
I propose something as civilized as packets of birdseed that is blessed and set out to feed, rather than kill our wildlife. Or, packets of chicken feed gaily wrapped and presented to those celebrating a loved one.
These packets can be opened and the contents tossed into the air just the same as balloons, but with much kinder consequences.
Please, let’s get the word out and change this deadly practice to a more humane gift to our wildlife.
Judy S. Veal Lawrence, Milledgeville