Charges detail extensive poaching ring in Washington, Oregon [View all]
Source: Associated Press
Gene Johnson, Associated Press
Updated 8:56 pm, Friday, September 8, 2017
SEATTLE (AP) — An extensive poaching ring is responsible for slaughtering more than 100 black bears, cougars, bobcats, deer and elk in southwestern Washington state and northwestern Oregon, with many of the animals hunted with dogs and then left to rot, authorities said Friday.
"There was an absolute wanton disregard for our conservations laws," Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Capt. Jeff Wickersham said.
Seven people — six adults, some of whom have previously been targeted in poaching investigations, and one juvenile — have been charged so far, but investigators plan to recommend charges against more people, he said. Some face upward of 60 counts related to illegal hunting and wasting animals.
The investigation was reported this week by The Chronicle newspaper of Centralia, which said it had obtained hundreds of pages of case reports from the department through a public records request.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Reports-detail-extensive-poaching-ring-in-12183221.php#photo-14075908
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