Michigan wins convictions for killing an endangered cougar for the first time in its history

[Redfairen]

In a first-of-its-kind case in Michigan, two men have pleaded guilty in connection with the killing of a cougar in the Upper Peninsula. Troy Robert Richard, a 42-year-old Bay City resident appearing in Schoolcraft County District Court, pleaded guilty to taking/possession of an endangered species, as well as conspiracy to take an endangered species, according to a state Department of Natural Resources statement. His father, 68-year-old Theodore Robert Richard of Munger, pleaded guilty to aiding in the taking/possession of an endangered species.

Todd Anthony Richard, the 43-year-old son of Theodore and an taxidermist from Bay County, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to take or possess an endangered species, according to the DNR.

The endangered species in the case is a cougar that was shot on the Richard family's hunting camp on Dec. 9 in Schoolcraft County. Cougars are protected, and hunting them is prohibited in Michigan.

"This is a historical case," said Debbie Munson Badini, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman. "It's the first time we've ever been able to investigate and solve a cougar poaching in Michigan. As far as we know, it's the first time we've ever had evidence like a dead carcass."

http://m.detnews.com/metro/article?a=2014303070104&f=1211

[cui bono]

1. Somehow I doubt that revoking their hunting privileges will keep them from hunting.

They knew what they did was illegal, they were trying to hide it.