PA Man Charged with Entrapping Wildlife
04 November 2009
by Anai Rhoads
AnaiRhoads.org -- A confidential informant tipped off Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation officers after residents of Tannersville began noticing wildlife missing in their community. Late May of this year, officers arrived at a home in Monroe County to discover a variety of wildlife animals trapped in a hoarding situation.
Stephen Andrew Moore pled guilty on 29 October to 30 counts of illegal possession of wildlife. Moore was charged for participating in a non-traditional form of poaching, where he trapped and kept wildlife on his property as a collector.
Game Commission Wildlife Rehabilitation Center's Scott Malicky and Cory Bentzoni went to Moore's home on Gravatts Way in Pocono Township to investigate alleged illegal possession of birds.
"When we arrived, we saw several cages and multiple bird traps on the front porch," Malicky said. "Also visible from the front porch were several bird traps in the backyard."
The 46 year-old admitted in court that it was "a hobby that got out of control." He was said to have 13 goldfinches; 11 pine siskins; 7 house finches; 5 dark-eyed juncos; 4 purple finches; 3 blue jays; 3 gray squirrels; 2 groundhogs; 2 raccoons; 2 indigo buntings; 1 chipping sparrow; 2 black-capped chickadees; 2 rose-breasted grosbeaks; 1 cardinal; 1 brown-headed cowbird; 1 house sparrow; 1 mourning dove. These included five animals that were found dead – so decomposed that identification of their species are still yet to be determined.
"The birds and mammals, as well as some of the enclosures, were transferred to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for care and housing," WCO Malicky said. "Many of the birds required beak trimming, nail trimming and antibacterial medication in their drinking water, and one of the raccoons is suffering nutritional problems requiring dietary supplements. The cages needed cleaning and disinfection due to the improper care of the wildlife."
All of the birds were "underweight, suffering from neglect and had nutritional problems," stated Katherine Uhler, who runs Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. She reported that 20 of the birds have died since arriving at her facility, all due to the poor care Moore provided.
Moore was initially charged with animal cruelty, but as part of a plea agreement, charges against were withdrawn. Moore was ordered to pay $2,250 in fines, and $750 in reimbursement to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for expenses incurred treating the wildlife that survived.
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