THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF UTAH
4242 SOUTH 300 WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84107-1415
(801) 261-2919 phone • (801) 261-9577 fax
www.utahhumane.org
Page 1 of 1
PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE:
Immediately (October 30, 2007)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt
(801) 261-2919 cell phone
CHARGES FILED IN PHEASANT KILLING AT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME
The Humane Society of Utah today learned that misdemeanor charges have been filed against three individuals who were allegedly responsible for the stomping death of a pheasant on the playing field of American Fork High School during a recent football game between that school’s team and the Viewmont Vikings.
Two people who are believed to have released the bird onto the field as a prank were charged by the American Fork police, as was the Vikings’ assistant coach, who allegedly trampled the bird to death after its presence on the field disrupted the game.
"We’re gratified to see the authorities taking this incident seriously," said HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt. "This was a cruel, callous act that traumatized a lot of spectators at the game. There was no excuse for committing an act like that. We believe that it showed extremely poor judgment for a person in a position of leadership to do what the Viewmont coach is alleged to have done, and we hope that the Davis County School District will also become involved in taking disciplinary action."
Under Utah state law, the killing of the pheasant in this manner is classified as "wanton destruction of wildlife, a Class B misdemeanor.
# # # #