Hill pays fine, charge
dropped
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September 7, 2011 |
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Jeremy Hill's
father, Mike Hill, left, and County
Commission Chair Ron Smith (right) spoke
with reporters following Jeremy Hill's
arraignment August 23 in Coeur d'Alene.
The charge against Hill stirred national
attention. Jeremy's wife, Rachel, and
children are in the background. |
The United States Attorney’s Office for
the District of Idaho announces that it is
dismissing the pending misdemeanor criminal
charge against Jeremy Hill for the killing of a
grizzly bear on Mr. Hill’s property on May 8,
2011.
Mr. Hill has agreed that, under the applicable
provisions of the Endangered Species Act and
related Regulations, his actions on May 8, 2011,
constituted a violation of one of regulations
authorized by the Endangered Species Act, 16
U.S.C. § 1538(a)(1)(G) (stemming from his
violation of 50 CFR §§17.40(b)(1)(i)(C)(1) and
(2)). These implementing regulations of the
Endangered Species Act prohibit removing
nuisance bears, except authorized by government
authorities. Mr. Hill has been issued a notice
of violation and paid a $1,000 fine.
During the course of their investigation, state
and federal wildlife officials were unable to
establish the location of Mr. Hill’s children
when the three grizzly bears were first sighted
in the yard, about forty yards from the Hill
home. Mr. Hill informed law enforcement that he
last saw his children outside playing basketball
in front of their home, but that he did not know
where his children were when he saw the three
grizzly bears near his pig pen. He stated that
he was concerned for his children’s welfare. By
the time Mr. Hill fired the final shot, he was
aware that all of his children and his wife were
inside of their house.
U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced that
dismissal of the criminal charge in favor of the
citation was based in part on Mr. Hill’s prompt
notification of his actions to Idaho Fish & Game
officials. “The United States Attorney’s Office
well understands Mr. Hill is a concerned husband
and father who wants to protect his family,”
said Olson. “Anyone who observes or hears of a
grizzly bear near campsites or residences must
immediately contact fish and wildlife officials.
Federal, State and Tribal officials are mandated
to act immediately and effectively to remove
grizzly bears from populated areas. These
regulations are designed to ensure citizen
safety and protect the grizzly bear, which has
been designated a Threatened Species under the
Endangered Species Act.”
For the first time, Jeremy has the opportunity
to speak out on what happened on Mother's Day
May 8.
“After having family over for dinner on Mother’s
Day," he said, "I was outside at the basketball
hoop with four of my children. I went into the
house to take a shower. When I finished
showering and was getting dressed, my wife,
Rachel, looked out the bedroom window and saw
three grizzly bears at the edge of our yard, but
very close by, standing near a small pen that
held the children’s 4-H pigs. The last time I
saw my children they were outside. I grabbed a
rifle and ran out on the deck. I yelled for the
children, but did not hear a response. The bears
did not move away from the pen as I was yelling.
Fearing for the safety of my children, I shot
the bear that was closest to the house. The
other two bears ran across part of the lawn and
into the brush. The wounded bear followed into
the yard, but stopped and turned toward the
house. I shot the bear again. About this time,
Rachel told me that the children were safe
inside the house. The bear I shot was badly
wounded, and I believed at that time that it
would be very dangerous to leave the bear
wounded, possibly posing a threat to others. I
also thought the humane thing to do was to put
the wounded bear out of its misery.
“We do not live in the wilderness. We live in a
rural farm community. I have never seen grizzly
bears near our home before. I shot the grizzly
bear because I was fearful for the safety of my
family. I thought I was doing the right thing to
protect them. Once I shot the bear, I
immediately called Idaho Fish and Game to report
the incident.”
Marc Lyons, Ramsden & Lyons, LLP, attorney for
Jeremy Hill in this matter, had the following
statement:
“We are pleased that the U.S. Attorney has
agreed to dismiss all criminal charges against
Jeremy Hill for the shooting of a grizzly bear
at his home on May 8, 2011. We believe that this
was the correct decision and that Jeremy should
not be subjected to criminal charges. Jeremy
believed that the actions that he took in
confronting three large grizzly bears at his
home were appropriate and necessary to protect
his home and family.
“It is important to understand that the Hill
family lives in a rural farm community. The Hill
family home is 1,000 feet from one of the main
Idaho highways, and is not in the mountains, the
wilderness, or where someone would normally
expect grizzly bear activity.
“This unfortunate event underscores the need to
critically review and evaluate the Endangered
Species Act so that people can use reasonable
and appropriate actions to protect their
families, homes and property.”
“I am thankful that the government has dismissed
all criminal charges against me in this case,"
Hill said. "I received a federal civil ticket
and have paid the $1,000 fine to avoid putting
my family through the emotional strain and the
cost of a trial. I am glad this issue has been
resolved out of court and I am looking forward
to putting this unfortunate incident behind me.
My family and I are very thankful for the
support of our family and friends during this
difficult time. We have been overwhelmed by the
outpouring of concern from the many people who
have contacted us. We are also grateful for the
support of our state and local elected
officials. We could not ask for better friends,
neighbors and supporters. Thank you again from
all of our family.” |
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Reader Comments ... |
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Praise the Lord! Best wishes to the Hill family,
and congrats to the town of Bonners Ferry for
their support and all the attention that was
drawn to this issue! |
Alysa Hamilton
Post Falls
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Thank God for common sense! So quickly our
freedom can be taken away by a lopsided
government. |
Sharon Smith
Bonners Ferry
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Yes, praise the Lord for some common sense
finally! |
Joleen Halford
Bonners Ferry
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Thank God we still have the right to protect our
home and family. I'm sure all the concerned
citizens had a lot to do with the outcome. Now
if we can keep the deer from our lawns and
gardens with out being in trouble . |
Lilajo
Bonners Ferry |
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