No jail or fine for South Shore bear killer
This is the bear that was killed last summer. Photo/Toogee Sielsch
Gilbert Wetenkamp won’t be spending any time behind bars for the killing of a bear on the South Shore.
Before handing down the sentence today El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Suzanne Kingsbury didn’t hold back in telling Wetenkamp his actions were dangerous and that he needs to follow the law – which means not shooting wildlife because they are bothering him.
Wetenkamp on March 18 was sentenced to two years probation, six months in jail – which was stayed, a $2,084 fine – also stayed, forfeiture of the gun used to kill the 2½-year-old bear last July near his house, and 200 hours of community service that must be spent working with animals.
He was also told that any future wildlife issues on his property must be handled by proper authorities.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Needless to say we at The BEAR League were quite pleased at the outcome of this case, and this decision far exceeded our expectations of the punishment we thought would be handed down. We would like to thank California Department of Fish and Wildlife for taking on the investigation, the El Dorado County District Attorneys office for vigorously pursuing this case, and also Judge Kingsbury who in no uncertain terms made it clear that she will not stand for any crimes against wildlife to go unpunished here in El Dorado County.
In an interview by another local news agency I was asked if I would be willing to aid in Mr Wetenkamp finding a suitable facility to accommodate his community service hours that must be spent, by order of Judge Kingsbury, in a facility that works with wild animals or someone like the Humane Society. My answer was that I would be quite willing to provide any assistance he and his family might accept from me in this or in wildlife proofing his property.
Toogee Sielsch
The BEAR League
He should have been forced to pay the fine. How much money was spent by all the agencies involved in this senseless killing?
Light sentences like this are why people continue to do illegal activities. Harsh penalties is the only way to make people change their ways.