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Arrests Disrupt Fox Pen 'Sport'

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By JAY REEVES, The Associated Press

Published: November 13, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Authorities seized dozens of animals and charged 18 men from four states in what they described Monday as a new twist on the sport of fox hunting: releasing trapped animals into fenced pens so they can be chased down by dogs.

The suspects, from Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and Wisconsin, face jail time and fines up to $225,000, said Allan Andress, chief of enforcement for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The arrests capped a two-year investigation and resulted in the seizure of 55 foxes, 25 coyotes and two bobcats, Andress said. Agents also seized a moonshine still and 33 cardinals that apparently were used as bait.

Officials said the investigation included agents from Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, where game regulators said they shut down 36 of 41 foxhound training facilities for permit violations. Charges are pending.

The men charged in Alabama are accused in an operation where trappers allegedly captured animals and transported them to Alabama to be placed into "fox pens," Andress said. Pen operators charge dog owners about $25 to release a dog into the pen, where the animal then chases down a fox or coyote for sport.

"It's simply for the pleasure of the hunter to have his hounds do well," Andress said. "The foxes or coyotes are frequently killed, otherwise they wouldn't have to keep putting new animals in there."

Operating a fox pen isn't illegal as long as the prey gets inside on its own and has a chance to escape, Andress said. But capturing animals and placing them inside the pen to be hunted is illegal.

One of the men accused of illegally importing animals into Alabama, Harold Widder of Antigo, Wis., denied trafficking in wild animals and said "everything got out of hand."

"These were not wild animals or anything. These are ranch-raised animals," he said. "I just made a wrong turn and wound up in the wrong state."
Widder was charged with 45 counts of illegal importation of animals, and each count carries a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail.
Andress said all 18 suspects either trapped, transported, bought or sold a prohibited animal.

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