The HSUS Receives Reward from Crime Stoppers

	© SPCA WCC/Amy Loebl
	J. Kevin Hertell (left) of the SPCA WCC accepted the award from Crime Stopper's Richard Masten.

At a press conference today in Fort Lauderdale, Crime Stoppers of Miami-Dade presented their Director's Award to The Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust.

The award, given by Crime Stoppers Executive Director Richard Masten, acknowledges the support of The HSUS and the Wildlife Land Trust in solving a crocodile poaching case in December.

The presentation took place at the SPCA Wildlife Care Center, with the center's managing director J. Kevin Hertell accepting the award on behalf of The HSUS.

A Collaborative Effort

The HSUS and the Wildlife Land Trust contributed a reward of $2,500 that helped lead to a tip from a confidential informant in the poaching case. Two suspects, a juvenile and an adult, have been charged with illegally killing an American crocodile in September on the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables, Fla.

The reward money totaled $8,500, with additional contributions from Crime Stoppers and CompUSA.

Richard Masten, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Miami-Dade, said, "We strongly believe that the fast response and participation of The Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust made a tremendous difference in leading to the confidential tips that solved the case."

A Serious Crime Solved

© Stock.xchng/Zsolt Zatrok
The alleged killers of the University of Miami's crocodile mascot were charged with felony animal cruelty.

"Poaching is a serious crime that all too often goes unpunished, and we thank enforcement authorities for doggedly pursuing a resolution," said Andrew Page, director of the wildlife abuse campaign for The HSUS.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Crime Stoppers to send a message to poachers to think twice before robbing Florida's citizens of valued wildlife."

American crocodiles are listed as endangered in southern Florida, and they live nowhere else in the United States. The suspects allegedly stabbed and decapitated the crocodile, who was considered an unofficial mascot on the university campus.

Multiple charges have been filed against the two defendants, including felony animal cruelty, killing an endangered or threatened species and grand theft.

Related Links

HSUS Rewards

Poaching: Wildlife Criminals in our Back Yards

Spotlight on the Bad Guys