This Is What Happens When You Steal a Protected Animal Animal Theft and Trespassing Don’t Go Unnoticed You wake up slowly, still groggy from a raucous night out with your friends. As you look around, taking stock of your surroundings, you see the other inhabitants: a desk, your shoes, a penguin … a penguin?! While footage confirms that two young Welshmen stole Dirk the penguin from his SeaWorld Australia home, the men had little memory of the night’s misadventures the next morning — until they saw Dirk waddling around their rented apartment. The night before, after imbibing a hefty amount during their vacation in Australia, the men got the harebrained idea to break into SeaWorld and swim with the dolphins. After getting inside, video footage captured them stripping down to their skivvies and running around the facility— until they spotted the penguin enclosure.“Look at them!” one said. Distracted from their original plan, they made their way to the penguins, grabbed one, and left. Dirk, the 7-year-old fairy penguin (the smallest species of penguin), was bred in captivity and had never left his enclosure.
in by a surprised dog. Fortunately, concerned passers-by called authorities, and SeaWorld workers came to rescue Dirk and bring him back to his family.
Dirk returned unharmed to his partner, Peaches, but his kidnappers weren’t so lucky. Once a Facebook post recounting their misdeeds made its rounds, police traced the crime back to the two Welshmen. They were charged with trespassing, stealing, and keeping a protected animal, and there was no shortage of public shaming as their crime circulated the internet. Taking note of their letter of apology and admissions of guilt and regret, the judge enforced a heavy fine for the crime in lieu of jail time. Charges for kidnapping a protected animal vary from state to state, but the Endangered Species Act ensures perpetrators face harsh penalties, including fines and maximum sentences. The Animal Legal Defense Fund also provides free legal assistance and training to help protect animals from harm.
The next morning, realizing what they’d done, the three young men panicked and released Dirk into a nearby canal. But Dirk’s misfortunes
Be careful on your next night out, and please, enjoy wildlife without stealing it!
weren’t quite over. He was chased out of the canal by what onlookers believe was a shark, only to be chased back
trivia
Shrimp Sausage Skewers
Which feared and controversial American attorney, who was later disbarred by the State of New York, represented both Donald Trump and the owners of Studio 54 before his death in 1986?
INGREDIENTS
Creole Seasoning Ingredients • 2 tablespoons paprika •
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1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
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1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder 1/2 tablespoon onion powder 1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder 1/4 tablespoon dried oregano 1/4 tablespoon dried thyme
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2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
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Send your answers to Caitlyn (caitlyn@snelllaw.com).
INSTRUCTIONS
1. The first correct answer wins a $15 gift card to Starbucks.
1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes).
2. All other submissions are entered in a drawing to win a second $15 gift card to Starbucks.
3. The funniest wrong answer will be chosen by Caitlyn and will also win a $15 gift card to Starbucks.
All entries must be sent to Caitlyn by Friday, April 19, and the winners will be announced in our next edition.
Last month’s winner: Cynthia Reeves
Inspired by PaleoLeap.com
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