State eyes Avalon's handling of skunks

AVALON, N.J. - New Jersey environmental regulators say this Jersey Shore town may be doing something stinky in its effort to control skunks.

Avalon officials have been capturing and moving skunks - about 80 of them in the last year - and the state Division of Fish and Wildlife wants to know where they are being taken.

A permit is needed to move wildlife to another town because the animals could cause problems in their new homes, an agency spokesman told the Press of Atlantic City. Two years ago, Avalon acknowledged releasing about two dozen skunks in nearby Upper Township.

Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi would say only that skunks were being put in "the witness-protection program." - AP