Success: Killers of Black Bear Family Sentenced to Jail Time

Target: Kevin Clarkson, Attorney General of Alaska

Goal: Support strong punishments for the poaching of protected wildlife.

A family of protected Alaskan black bears faced merciless slaughter at the hands of a father-and-son family of poachers. Forty-one-year-old Andrew Renner and his then 17-year-old son Owen traveled to a snow-covered den housing a sow and her two cubs. After one man shot the mother bear twice, the other killed her shrieking cubs. The men, not realizing their cruel actions had been caught on camera, later lied to officials about the cubs’ presence in the den. They also claimed ignorance that killing the animals was illegal, even though the mother wore a collar indicating her status. Now, in the wake of forceful calls for action, like those found in this ForceChange petition, justice has been delivered.

Both defendants faced charges of killing the bears, unlawfully possessing them, and falsifying information. The Alaska attorney general’s office successfully secured convictions on a total of 12 counts. Each man was sentenced to some jail time, fines ($20,000 for the elder Renner), and years-long suspensions of their hunting licenses. The father also surrendered several possessions, including a boat, a truck, and weapons that were likely used to slaughter the family of bears.

Most importantly, this sentence sends a strong message to would-be poachers. The assistant attorney general said, “The defendant, and anyone else that would pursue game in our state, should be on notice that killing a sow with cubs and then poaching the cubs to cover it up, will result in a significant jail term and loss of hunting privileges…large fines and restitution.” He concluded with an affirmative, “Alaska does not tolerate poaching.”

Sign the petition below to commend a ruling that helped assure justice for a slaughtered family while setting an important precedent of condemnation for those who butcher wildlife.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Attorney General Peterson,

Poachers Andrew and Owen Renner committed a serious crime and then engaged in a prolonged cover-up. When they realized they had likely slaughtered protected animals, the elder man was captured on camera simply stating, “I’m gonna get rid of these guys.” These men not only took the lives of a mother bear and her shrieking cubs, they also coldly tossed away the tiny carcasses like trash and butchered the mother for meat. They then attempted to lie and mislead about these heinous actions.

Thank you for pursuing the full spectrum of charges in this despicable act your office deemed as “the most egregious bear cub poaching case” in recent memory. Your commitment yielded significant fines, some jail time, suspension of licenses, and the surrender of the tools that enabled this crime. On a more fundamental level, your dedication demonstrated that you understand the gravity of these atrocities committed against protected wildlife.

Please continue to be a defender and champion for all living beings that cannot stand for themselves.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Laurel Ridge State Park