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Plano woman cited for attempted theft in raccoon case
Bill Conrad / Staff Photo: Bonnie Bradshaw holds up a leg trap, which she said is just as inhumane as the box traps commonly used by trappers. Bradshaw has been charged with attempted theft for taking two box traps from an apartment complex in Richardson, one of which contained a raccoon she said was dying. Pictured in the background is Bradshaw’s lawyer, Randy Turner.
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@acnpapers.com
PLANO -- A seemingly innocent act of compassion has landed a Plano animal rehabilitator in court.
In late 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. 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.
"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."
Turner said Bradshaw is not guilty for two reasons. He said she never intended to commit theft, which he said is a requirement in order to be convicted of the crime. He also cited the necessity defense, saying that "the harm caused by Bonnie temporarily borrowing the cages was way less than the torture the poor animal was going through and the imminent death that he faced."
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.
"No one wants to see an animal mistreated, but when it comes down to the personal-property side, we are looking at the property rights of the person who owns the traps," said Sgt. Kevin Perlich of the Richardson Police Department. "She removed another trap where there was no rescue taking place. She did an honorable deed and wanted to help the animal, but she also took property that had nothing to do with that animal."
Perlich said Bradshaw also failed to turn the traps over in a timely manner. Perlich confirmed Bradshaw's story that she turned the traps over to animal control officers two days after the rescue but said a police investigator asked for the traps prior to that and Bradshaw would not turn them over.
He said the best course of action for Bradshaw was to call Richardson Animal Control officers, whom he said would have been on scene "promptly." Bradshaw said she didn't do this because the animal needed immediate attention and was near death. She said she properly identified herself to the property managers and gave them her contact information before leaving with the traps.
The owner of the traps, Lon Menefee, has also been cited in the case. Greg Sowell of the city of Richardson said Menefee received a ticket for inhumane treatment of an animal, a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.
Bradshaw said even though she received a citation, she would do the same thing again if presented the chance. Her trial date has been set for Aug. 17.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
calvinator6 wrote on Aug 2, 2011 5:44 PM:
" Oh boy. Saying the traps are inherently dangerous is dumb. But now if you use a trap it is a hunter's responsibility to check it often so one can dispense with the purpose of having the cage in the first place. What's next are the Druids going to visit city hall? "
melindacook wrote on Aug 3, 2011 4:24 PM:
" So who is Lon Menefee? Is that a resident of the complex or the apt. manager ? I know animal control has them here where I live and you can go and sign them out and then you have so many days to return them. "
Lauraslawns wrote on Aug 3, 2011 5:10 PM:
" The city of Plano is crazy. This happened around our neighborhood with a squirrel, later that day the squirrel was dead. I made sure the home owner knew how cruel she was. From then on when there were other traps, I hid them and turned them upside down. Maybe we should put some people in the traps and leave them in the hot sun..Dismiss the ticket/fine. "
karlakatza wrote on Aug 4, 2011 12:35 PM:
" It's very cruel and sadistic to keep animals in traps under extreme weather and that should be punishable. Bonnie did the humane right thing! I feel that she is a hero to the community because she showed compassion to a living animal...this is what we try to teach our kids, right? "
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