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Old 08-02-2011, 11:42 AM   #1
Sweetwater
Ruled only by the tide
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Truro
Posts: 801
Over Zealous Wildlife Enforcement?

File under: "No good dead goes unpunished"

In the continuing saga of "birder-do gooders" failing to use common sense, a little girls' mother is fined over $500 and threatened with a year in prison for helping her 11 year old save a bird.

Report: Mom fined $535 after girl saves woodpecker - US news - Weird news - msnbc.com

Sure, it is illegal to transport an endangered species but the INTENT of the law is to prevent poaching and intentional disturbance (such as for profit by sending animals to private "zoos" etc.) of protect animals.

Clearly the wildlife official would have done everyone a greater service by simply explaining to the lady that however well intentioned her actions, they are illegal and not in the bird's best interest and let it go with that.

The concept of "what would a reasonable person do under similar circumstances?" applies to the mother and NOT to the wildlife officials.

Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.
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