A disturbing cell phone video has emerged, showing a hunter petting an illegally shot and injured deer before killing it, sparking outrage among wildlife advocates and raising calls for animal cruelty charges. The incident took place in Vermont, where officials have stated that the state’s animal cruelty law does not apply to activities regulated by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, including hunting and trapping.
The 21-year-old hunter, who is shown in the video, is facing multiple charges related to deer poaching and other incidents that occurred in October and November of 2022. These charges include hunting while his license was revoked. The hunter’s lawyer, who was recently appointed to the case, has declined to comment.
In most states, animal cruelty regarding hunting is regulated through hunting rules that dictate legal weapons, calibers, hours, and seasons. These rules aim to ensure that hunters do not use methods that could be inhumane or ineffective. Lindsay Thomas Jr., the chief communications officer for the National Deer Alliance, explained that many state wildlife enforcement agencies still have the authority to bring charges, or collaborate with state police to do so, in cases involving cruelty to animals.
Thomas emphasized the distinction between a hunter and a poacher, stating that hunters are typically ethical and follow the rules. In the Vermont case, the cell phone video captured a buck that was still alive and lying in a hay barn. The state game warden described the buck as being mostly paralyzed, likely due to spinal trauma from a broadhead or bullet wound.
The video also shows the hunter and a friend interacting with the deer, with the hunter petting the animal and referring to it as a “good boy,” as if it were a pet. Photos were taken of the deer while it was alive in the barn, as well as of the deceased deer hanging in the same location.
Animal advocacy group Protect Our Wildlife Vermont is demanding that the hunter be charged with animal cruelty. The group argues that the hunter’s actions fall outside the bounds of legal hunting and should not be protected under hunting exemptions. Brenna Galdenzi, the president of the nonprofit, stated that the incident was “egregious” and believes that the state’s animal cruelty law should be amended to include the word “lawful” in activities regulated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The hunter claims to have shot the buck with a crossbow in Peacham after leaving his ex-girlfriend’s home in an angry state. He alleges that he returned to find the still-alive deer and, lacking arrows and a knife, ultimately killed it with an arrow inside the barn. The game warden estimated that the buck was kept alive for at least 30 minutes while in their possession.
The case has sparked widespread condemnation, with concerns raised about the hunter’s motivations and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents in the future. Protect Our Wildlife Vermont plans to collaborate with the legislature to push for changes to the animal cruelty law.
In conclusion, the video capturing the hunter’s actions has ignited a debate about animal cruelty and hunting regulations in Vermont. Wildlife advocates are urging the state to pursue charges against the hunter, while also calling for amendments to the animal cruelty law to ensure that hunters are held accountable for unethical behavior. The shocking incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for responsible and ethical hunting practices.
