12 Arrested in Sting for Illegal Purchase of Coyotes

At the conclusion of a 10-month undercover investigation Tuesday night, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrested 12 people for the illegal purchase and possession of live foxes and coyotes, and the unpermitted use of these animals in fenced enclosures for the purpose of allowing dogs to pursue them. In addition to undercover work, the investigation involved aerial surveillance as the suspects moved from county to county, transporting the animals to enclosures.

See List of Suspects HERE

Permits are required to possess these animals, and it is unlawful to purchase foxes or coyotes from an unlicensed person. In addition, the enclosures must be permitted and meet state requirements. Large fenced enclosures, often several hundred acres, have been established and permitted on private lands to provide areas where dogs can chase foxes and coyotes without crossing landowner boundaries and creating trespass situations.  The owners of these enclosures typically charge patrons a fee to allow their dogs to track the animals inside the fenced enclosures.

During the investigation, FWC officers posed as suppliers of foxes and coyotes that were illegally possessed and sold the animals to the suspects. The undercover officers told the suspects that they did not have the proper permits to sell the animals.

“Over the last year, we have received numerous complaints regarding the enclosures,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “Last September, the other commissioners and I directed the FWC to conduct a comprehensive review of this practice and examine the agency’s permitting process and report back to us. This investigation is something we will weigh when we make decisions about the future operation of these enclosures.”

With a valid permit, a person may import foxes into the state and release them into private fenced enclosures only if the animals are vaccinated and have been quarantined. The trapping of foxes for this purpose in Florida is prohibited. Only those foxes from states that have been rabies-free for a year are allowed into the state. It’s illegal to kill gray or red foxes, and it is illegal to possess gray or red foxes without a permit.

The importation of coyotes into Florida is prohibited. However, a valid permit allows for coyotes to be trapped in Florida and relocated to private enclosures.

Twelve suspects were arrested and 46 citations issued. Most of the citations are for second-degree misdemeanors. A second-degree misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail. One suspect, Edgar R. Bryan (DOB 10/23/35) is a convicted felon who served 25 years in prison for first-degree murder and is on parole.

Of the 12 enclosures investigated, eight were involved in illegal activity. Suspects at two permitted facilities made illegal purchases. Six other facilities were identified as having no permits.

Source: myfwc.com