Rewards Offered in Saratoga and St. Lawrence County, N.Y. Bald Eagle Shootings

December 15, 2006

 FLANDERS, N.J.—The Humane Society of the United States is offering two  rewards of up to $2,500 each for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for shooting bald eagles in two separate incidents in New York this year.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation are also offering rewards in these cases, bringing the total to up to $5,000 in each case.

The Cases:
According to the U.S. Fish and Widlife Service and news reports, a deceased bald eagle was found in a wooded area between English Road and Round Lake, in Saratoga County, New York on November 25. The eagle, one of only three eagles hatched in the Adirondacks this year, had been shot.

In late March, another bald eagle was found dead in a field at the intersection of County Route 10 (Genesee Trail) and County Route 3 (Rossie-Oxbow Road) near the St. Lawrence-Jefferson county line. Authorities believe the eagle was last seen alive in November 2005, and could have been dead for months.
 
Animal Cruelty:
The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. The HSUS First Strike Campaign® raises public awareness and educates communities about this connection while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS offers rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty.  Visit www.hsus.org/firststrike.

The Investigators:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation are investigating the shootings.  Anyone with information should contact the U.S. FWS Office of Law Enforcement at 518-431-4341 or New York DEC Division of Law Enforcement at 1-800-TIPP-DEC.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country.

The HSUS Mid-Atlantic Regional Office serves the states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.