[wallace_f]

>The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service spent $4.77 million purchasing shotguns, .308 caliber rifles, night vision goggles, propane cannons, liquid explosives, pyro supplies, buckshot, LP gas cannons, drones, remote controlled helicopters, thermal cameras, military waterproof thermal infrared scopes, and more.

[toomanybeersies]

In their defence, it would appear on first glance at the sample purchases that a lot of the weapons purchased are hunting rifles and shotguns, useful for pest destruction/culling and putting down sick animals.

LP gas cannons are used for scaring birds and making them take flight, night vision equipment is very useful for culling animals, same goes for thermal cameras/scopes.

[gerbal]

Take a look at that agencies responsibilities[1]. There's a lot there that could necessitate that sort of materiel. Including monitoring wildlife, enforcing bans in trade of various species, and enforcing animal welfare.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_and_Plant_Health_Inspec...

[mason240]

Seems appropriate for an agency dealing with exotic animal smuggling.

[johnnyhillbilly]

Is that so strange?