‘We must … protect the
ability of the … citizen to protect his family;’
Commissioners seek to have Hill exonerated
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August 22, 2011 |
Boundary County Commissioners today sent a
letter to the Idaho U.S. Congressional
delegation, Idaho District 1 Legislators and
Idaho Governor Butch Otter seeking to defend a
citizen’s right to protect their families
despite Endangered Species Act laws that make
doing so illegal.
The letter is in response to federal charges
filed against Jeremy Hill, 33, Bonners Ferry,
who allegedly shot and killed one of three
grizzly bears that were right outside his home
north of town on Mothers Day so as to protect
his six children. Immediately after the shooting
May 8, he called Idaho Fish and Game
conservation officers, who recommended that no
charges be filed, a recommendation echoed by
local U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials.
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U.S. District
Attorney Wendy Olson |
On August 8, U.S. District Attorney Wendy Olson,
on behalf of the Department of the Interior,
overruled those recommendations and filed felony
charges against Hill for killing a species
listed at threatened. If convicted, he faces up
to a year in prison, up to a $50,000 fine and
loss of hunting privileges.
An arraignment hearing is set for 10 a.m.
Tuesday, August 23, in the Coeur d’Alene
District Courtroom, located in the Federal
Building, 6450 North Mineral Drive.
Commission Chair Ron Smith will attend that
hearing on behalf of county commissioners to
show this county’s strong support of Hill and
his family as they go through this ordeal.
“This letter is our attempt to add our influence
on behalf of Jeremy Hill, who has been falsely
accused of a crime that did not happen,” Smith
said.
The letter, addressed to Idaho U.S. Senators
Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, U.S. Representatives
Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson, Idaho Governor
Butch Otter, District 1 Senator Shawn Keough and
District 1 representatives Eric Anderson and
George Eskridge, reads in full:
“Boundary County, through efforts of all our
partners and the efforts of our local
collaborative, the Kootenai Valley Resource
Initiative, has assisted and promoted the
recovery of Grizzly Bears in the Selkirk
recovery zones for many years. We have one goal
in mind, which is to see the population increase
to a point the species is recovered. In doing
so, it will ease the restrictions on our
National Forest and help our community
economically.
“The efforts of educating the community
regarding bears have shown that the last human
mortality in the Selkirk recovery zone in the
United States and in Boundary County occurred in
the year 2004. That is a remarkable achievement.
“We recently had a bear killed by a local
resident, Jeremy Hill. The shooting occurred
approximately five miles outside of the recovery
zone and adjacent to State Highway #1.
“Mr. Hill was defending his family when the
incident occurred and he quickly contacted the
proper enforcement person with the Idaho
Department of Fish and Game, from which a
recommendation was made not to prosecute.
“Mr. Hill has lived here most of his life and is
an honest, upright and productive member of this
community. Jeremy has been charged by the U.S.
Department of Fish and Wildlife in Federal
Court. We feel that at all costs, this man has
the obligation and responsibility to protect his
children. This is not some flagrant or malicious
act. We urge you to do all that is in your power
to have this matter settled. We must assist and
protect the ability of the average citizen to
protect his family when they are in danger.
“The press has stated that the animal was just
crossing his property. In fact, it was a female
with two sub-adult cubs. Three Grizzly Bears in
a yard with your children is at the very least a
dangerous situation, and the children must be
protected at all costs.”
The letter was signed Respectfully, Ronald R.
Smith, Chairman, Dan R. Dinning, Commissioner,
and Walt Kirby, Commissioner.
“As a board of county commissioners, we feel
strongly that a person’s right to defend his or
her family is among our most important
obligations,” Smith said. “As individuals, we’re
extremely pleased with the show of support that
took place at the 4-H Market Animal Sale Friday
night, which just reinforces the support this
community is showing Jeremy and his family.”
At that sale, a 4-H pig named Regina was offered
by Hill’s 14-year-old daughter, Jasmine. Bidders
bought and turned the pig 15 times, raising
$19,558 for the family. The last bidder then
gave Regina back to Jasmine, saving her from a
trip to the butcher.
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