Man dumped bodies of mama bear, 2 cubs he killed, CO officials say. He gets probation
A man who pleaded guilty to killing a bear and her two cubs and dumping their bodies in Colorado was sentenced to probation, community service and fines, reports say.
He pleaded guilty to a felony charge of willful destruction of wildlife and a misdemeanor charge of failure to properly dress wildlife in January, according to KUSA.
He killed the mama bear and her cubs on his property in Howard, which is about a 90-mile drive southwest from Colorado Springs, the station reported.
He was initially arrested on 10 charges in total, including those involving misdemeanor poaching, KDVR reported.
The man from Howard, Colorado, was ultimately fined more than $19,000, ordered to pay $750 in restitution to the Colorado Division of Wildlife and must donate $1,000 to Operation Game Thief, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife program that rewards those who turn in poachers, the station reported.
The man’s defense attorney did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for information or comment on Wednesday, March 27.
Social media reports and anonymous tips helped lead to the man’s arrest in 2023, McClatchy News previously reported. Wildlife officers responded to the tips and discovered the bodies dumped on state trust land southeast of Salida on Sept. 29.
Through a search warrant, authorities said they found evidence suggesting the bears had been shot about four days before on the man’s property, about 10 miles southeast of where they were dumped, McClatchy News reported.
During his sentencing March 25, he described himself as “a docile and peaceful person and a rigid rule follower” who ultimately made poor decisions, including taking trophies from the bears he killed, the Canon City Daily Record reported.
He also said he is not a hunter and did not know anything about hunting laws, the outlet reported.
Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife officer Jacob Reimer acknowledged the public outcry for a stronger charge during the hearing, the outlet reported.
This story was originally published March 27, 2024 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Man dumped bodies of mama bear, 2 cubs he killed, CO officials say. He gets probation."
