In my last blog I asked the question “when is a theft more than just a theft.” Now I ask, “can a theft, not really be stealing?”
An Act of Compassion
It all began with an act of compassion by a concerned human being looking out for an animal, and I must add – doing her job!
Last June, Bonnie Bradshaw received a call concerning a raccoon that had been trapped in a cage in high-90s temperatures for at least 12 hours. Fearing for the animal's safety, Bradshaw, who works for 911 Wildlife, decided the animal needed to be rescued.
Bradshaw took the trap containing the raccoon, as well as another empty trap, off the property of the Marquis at Waterview apartments in Richardson, Texas. Bradshaw said the animal was suffering from heat stroke but after a few hours in her care was able to be released back into the wild.
Where is the Crime?
Do you see a crime here? I sure don’t!
For taking the traps, Bradshaw was charged with attempted theft, a class C misdemeanor.
Rarely do I agree with an attorney, however, the words of her lawyer Randy Turner say it all.
"I am personally offended and outraged that the city of Richardson would charge someone with a crime who acted as a Good Samaritan and saved an animal from a slow and painful death," Turner said. "The city of Richardson should be giving this woman a commendation rather than charging her with a criminal offense."
She Was An Acting in the Line of Duty!
Bradshaw received the call from Stacie Hughes, a resident at the complex. Hughes said she first noticed the raccoon when she left for work at 7 a.m. She said she contacted the complex's management and they said the issue would be taken care of. When she returned home from work at 6:30 p.m., the raccoon was still in the trap and was lethargic and near death, she said. It was at this point Hughes' daughter called Bradshaw, who showed up about 15 minutes later.
When Bradshaw arrived, she removed the trap with the raccoon in it as well as another empty trap. She said she did this because the traps are inhumane and she didn't want to see another animal go through the torture of being trapped. The removal of the empty trap is one of the actions that got Bradshaw into trouble.
The cruxt of the issue is that Bradshaw failed to turn the traps over in a timely manner. She turned the traps over to animal control officers two days after the rescue.
Bradshaw said even though she received a citation, she would do the same thing again if presented the chance. Here ye, here ye!! What a terrible waste of taxpayer dollars!