Politician with a sense of humour joked that he was the target of a revenge attack by a suicidal squirrel

Alderman Howard B. Brookins, Jr. represents Chicago’s 21st ward. Last month, Brookins spoke out against oversized squirrels munching through the cities trash bin lids causing damage estimated to cost the city as much as $300,000. He called for a cracktown to address the issue but any actions he was planning will now have to wait as Brookins is healing up after suffering from significant injuries after coliding with a squirrel while riding his bike on a city recreational trail

Despite suffering a broken nose, a fractured skull and five or six teeth that were knocked out in the crash, Brookins is keeping his sense of humour. “I can think of no other reason for this squirrel’s actions than that it was like a suicide bomber, getting revenge,” he told the Chicago Tribune as he begins what doctors estimate will be a month long recovery that will require other surgeries.

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The crash happened on Nov. 13 when Brookins was out for a ride on the Cal-Sag Trail when a squirrel leap into the front wheel of his bike getting lodged in his spokes and sending the city representative flying over the handlebars. The squirrel did not survive, getting lodged in the spokes

“Some lady came along the trail and found me lying there next to my bicycle and called 911,” Brookins said. “I only saw the squirrel when I came to and saw it stuck in the wheel.”

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In October, Brookins called for a crackdown on oversized squirrels gnawing through city garbage cans that is costing the city thousands of dollars. Those plans will now be on hold while he recovers from his injuries. During his recovery, he will be on a watch out for the large rodents saying that he’ll call animal control encroach on his house.