CA House arrest for tiger owner

House arrest for tiger owner

Animal on loose for month in ’05

Article Last Updated: 05/07/2007 09:30:21 PM PDT

 

 

The former owner of a Ventura County animal sanctuary was sentenced Monday to house arrest for eight months for misleading officials after a tiger got loose near Moorpark.

 

Gert Einar "Abby" Hedengran also was placed on probation for three years. He had pleaded guilty to a charge of misleading federal officials while his tiger, Tuffy, was on the loose for nearly a month in eastern Ventura County in 2005.

 

The tiger was eventually shot and killed by federal officials near an elementary school.

 

The animal had escaped from a sanctuary that Hedengran and his wife had relocated from San Diego County to Moorpark in January 2005.

 

As a part of a plea bargain, Hedengran, who now lives in Pahrump, Nev., pleaded guilty in January to felony counts of making false statements to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents and of obstructing justice.

 

He also pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of failing to maintain proper records for the exotic felines. Although prosecutors were asking for 14 months in federal prison for Hedengran, they said they are satisfied with the decision.

 

"We were pleased that this matter has been resolved and Mr. Hedengran is going to be punished for his conduct that caused so much concern in Ventura County," said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Hedengran’s wife, Roena "Emma" Hedengran, 54, is expected to be sentenced May 14. She pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of failing to maintain records of exotic felines.

 

 

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_5841941

 

For the cats,

 

Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue

an Educational Sanctuary home

to more than 100 big cats

12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL  33625

813.493.4564 fax 885.4457

http://www.BigCatRescue.org    MakeADifference@BigCatRescue.org

 

Sign our petition here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/344896451?ltl=1140270431

 

 

Get 7 Free Lessons from the Teachers of "The Secret" here: https://bigcatrescue.org/TheSecret.htm 

 

This message contains information from Big Cat Rescue that may be confidential or privileged. The information contained herein is intended only for the eyes of the individual or entity named above.  You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, disclosure, and/or copying of the information contained in this communication is strictly prohibited. The recipient should check this e-mail and any attachments for the presence of viruses. Big Cat Rescue accepts no liability for any damage or loss caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail.