Baaaarely. One point was that they are destroying native birds. That was probably lost in my attempt at humor. People are drawn to them because they are "cute". My second point is the same as yours, they are carnivorous rats. They are killed by the score here every year - no exaggeration. I wouldn't hesitate to crunch one if it ran in front of me, I will also go back to make sure it isn't suffering. A little aside ... I also had a girlfriend in college with a pet squirrel. Interesting little creature, till the bastard runs up your naked body after a shower. Our relationship was never the same (the squirrel and I).