A video posted to Facebook on December 20, 2017 shows two teens and a middle-aged adult laughing as they torment and cruelly shoot at a suffering coyote caught in a foothold trap, who desperately struggles to get away. After a bullet hits the animal’s mouth, the abusers continue to joke and shoot carelessly as the terrified coyote writhes in agony. By the end of the video, the coyote is still alive and struggling to free itself from the trap as the callous individuals continue to use the animal for target practice. Ultimately, off camera, the perpetrators killed the coyote and subsequently posted a photo of the deceased animal's body.
Upon seeing the video, LCA immediately contacted the police in Fort Payne, Alabama, where the individuals in the video reside. While trapping is lawful in Alabama, the state prohibits the act of subjecting an animal to cruel mistreatment or torture. The actions documented in this video depict intentional mistreatment that potentially violates anti-cruelty and trapping laws. The video has suspiciously disappeared from Facebook, where it had been shared and viewed by tens of thousands. While wildlife agencies theoretically exist to benefit wildlife, many have become decidedly pro-hunter. Because most of their revenue is generated from the sale of hunting licenses, they are incentivized to accommodate and protect hunters and trappers. LCA is now in contact with the local Game Warden, the enforcing authority, to ensure that a proper investigation is conducted and the perpetrators are charged with any crimes committed.
LCA is appalled by the behavior depicted in this video and alarmed by the abusers’ blatant disregard for animal suffering. The link between animal abuse and violence against humans is well-established. Studies at several federal penitentiaries have determined that 70% of violent prisoners had repeated animal abuse in their histories, compared to only 6% of prisoners serving time for nonviolent offenses. In response to these studies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began tracking crimes against animals via the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). Tracking animal cruelty crimes helps law enforcement detect criminal patterns and stop animal abusers before their behavior worsens. Alabama law enforcement agencies currently do not participate in NIBRS, but citizens like you can help change that.
WHAT YOU CAN DO- Email DeKalb County, Alabama Game Warden This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and politely ask him to conduct a thorough investigation into the potential crimes and trapping violations depicted in this video. You can also contact him by mail or phone.
- Email Alabama Law Enforcement Agency here and urge them to join NIBRS. CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLE LETTER. You can also contact them by mail.
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State Bureau of Investigations
PO Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511