Networking the West with Liz Ryan

Common Sense Wins One: DOW Won’t Press Charges in Cougar Case

By Liz Ryan, 10-16-07

In a story representing good news for Boulder County residents more alarmed about eco-fanatics than about mistreatment of predators, the Colorado Department of Wildlife declined to bring charges against a Wisconsin man who shot a cougar outside his house trailer near Nederland recently. The man surprised the mountain lion in the act of attacking his dog. Mountain lion attacks of dogs had been reported in the same area over a period of several weeks. Here is the story as reported by Sinapu.org, an advocacy organization.

As for Sinapu, it’s sad that the organization would use its energy and its voice to urge Colorado officials to prosecute this man, “making an example out of him” in the words of the organization’s leader, rather than educating the public about safe behavior in predator country. 

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