Protect Wildlife After Snowmobilers Apparently Chased and Ran Over Fox

Target: Pier Hess Graf, District Attorney of Lebanon County, PA

Goal: Prosecute suspects accused of threatening and trying to kill fox to fullest extent.

A red fox in Pennsylvania appears to have endured over half an hour of cruelty that turned deadly. Shocking footage seems to show two snowmobilers deliberately chasing the fox for thirty minutes, before eventually catching up and running over the animal multiple times. The condition of the fox is unknown.

After news of this horrific incident became public, 20-year-old Jeffrey Horst and an unidentified juvenile reportedly turned themselves in to authorities. But the possibility of obtaining true justice in this case remains murky. The incident was originally being investigated as a case of “illegal harassment of wildlife,” a charge that fails to reflect the gravity of the alleged offense. The cruelty charges brought against the suspects were only misdemeanors.

Sign the petition below to demand prosecutors pursue a more serious punishment.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear DA Graf,

The Pennsylvania Game Commission characterized the alleged attack by snowmobile against a red fox as “horrific.” They also renewed calls to “protect Pennsylvania wildlife.” How do the misdemeanor charges filed against the suspects who turned themselves into custody accomplish the latter goal? Moreover, how do they fit a crime in which the suspects apparently chased down a wild animal and deliberately ran it over several times?

Would such seemingly premeditated and cruel actions be considered a misdemeanor if the victim was a human? Make no mistake that any person who could perpetrate such alleged cruelty upon one living being could easily escalate into crimes that would be unequivocable and aggravated felonies. Please set an important legal precedent that will serve as a clear warning to offenders. Seek maximum charges and prosecute with vigilance.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Joanne Redwood