A $1 fine seems quite ridiculous to me for such an inhumane crime. Two boys, who were pleaded guilty to the shooting of endangered whooping crane in Indiana must be quite happy with the $1 fine charge.
Wade Bennett, 18 of Cayuga and another unnamed minor received one year of probation, $550 in legal costs and only $1 fine for their crime.
Their actions were not normal from any angle. The two boys went out on a killing spree and killed one whooping crane, did some squirrel hunting and enjoyed their target practice greatly.
Although Bennet provided false information, neither of the boys are being charged with federal crimes, including violations of the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Act, because there was a minor involved.
The crane who was killed was the mother of the first chick to be hatched and raised in the wild by cranes who had been raised in captivity. These cranes were hand raised at the USGS Patuxtent Wildlife Research Center as part of Operation Migration to reintroduce whooping cranes in the east.
The baby cranes are reared by humans and taught skills to survive in the wild. However, it is sad to note that for all the hard work being put those who are ready to kill these innocent endangered animals can get away with just $1 fine.
