The tragic death of the trained falcon "Hornet" deserves aggressive enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act . The falcon was doing what it does naturally; hunting wild game. The woman who admitted beating Hornet to death came across the falcon on its natural prey (a duck). After the injured bird flew off, the falconer, Scott Dinger, approached the woman at her vehicle and was told "I just beat the sh*t out of your falcon". Unfortunately, Hornet was completely trusting of humans, as he was trained and raised by Scott his entire life.
Scott immediately tracked the falcon and about an hour later, Hornet was found dead from head trauma and a broken leg. Confirmed by a necropsy performed later by a veterinarian. The woman allegedly bragged to co-workers about her killing the falcon, even calling Idaho Fish and Game herself about the act. Despite the clear facts, the woman, Patti MacDonald of Hauser, ID, has only been charged with a misdemeanor act of harassing an animal, a local charge.
Her heinous actions are a clear violation of several laws: animal cruelty, interference with a legal hunt, and especially killing a federally protected bird of prey. Click here to see news articles about this.
Sign the petition to urge federal prosecutors to pursue additional charges and bring justice to Scott and his falcon.
Above photo courtesy of Scott, and taken just before Hornet's death
We the undersigned want the perpetrator of this heinous crime to be charged with ALL applicable Federal laws in regards to her killing the falcon. A suitable conviction would require her to serve a sentence of community service to a raptor related rehabilitation center, probation, plus fines, and restitution to the falconer for the loss of his beloved falcon.
