Is it normal to kill kritters this way?

I know a woman (a friend's parent), she she kills squirrels and other little animals in her back yard in a cruel and unusual way!
First she take a bucket and pours water in it, then she pours bird seeds in it. This way, the seeds float to the top and it looks like it's full. Then she leaves it in the background. so when a squirrel or Chipmunk jumps into it expecting food, she drown helplessly. How normal is this?