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The HSUS Helps Throw The Book at Poachers

February 9, 2009


	© Stock.xchng/Stephen Joos
	With their magnificent racks, elk are a target for poaching criminals.

As part of The HSUS's comprehensive campaign to combat poaching, Wildlife Abuse Deputy Manager Danielle Thompson works with prosecutors to reinforce the importance of tough penalties for poachers.

In a recent case involving an outfitter who was charged with illegal transport of wild elk and illegal possession of bighorn sheep heads, Thompson sent a letter to the 13th Judicial District Attorney's office in New Mexico outlining the impact of wildlife crimes committed in the state by a Colorado man.

Sgt. Chris Chadwick, Albuquerque district supervisor for the state's Game and Fish Department, spent four years working on the case. He said, "When it came time for sentencing, that letter was one more voice out there letting the court know that that these crimes are important, that people do care."

In the end, although the 79-year-old poacher did not receive any jail time, he was sentenced to fines and 4,500 hours of community service at a wildlife organization.

To read more about The HSUS's efforts to combat poaching, pick up the March-April issue of All Animals.

Spotlight on the Bad Guys

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