Golfer Charged with Animal Cruelty for Killing Hawk
PGA also-ran Tripp Isenhour has been charged with animal cruelty after intentionally killing an endangered hawk with a golf ball.
Isenhour - while shooting a segment of “Shoot Like a Pro” - became annoyed with the red-shouldered hawk for making noise and continuously ruining takes.
He attempted to shoot balls at the bird initially from 300 yards away, but gave up. When the bird moved to within 75 yards, Isenhour reportedly said “I’ll get him now” and aimed at the hawk again. He “became excited” after his sixth shot came near the birds head and hit the bird a few shots later, sending it spiraling to the ground while bleeding from it’s nostrils. The bird presumably died on impact or shortly after.
The bird was buried at the golf course and later dug up by a crack team of Florida investigators.
Isenhour’s charge carries the potential of 14 months in prison and $1,500 in fines.
No one condones cruelty to animals, but can we get some sanity here? The meaning behind wildlife conversation is clear, but what message is charging this man supposed to send? Do we need a crack down on crazed professional golfers hitting endangered birds with golf balls? Should Isenhour have used binoculars and consulted his ornithological manual before proceeding?
Is it really worth it to spend thousands of dollars in state money? Are there no greater concerns where that money can be used?
Isenhour was an idiot, but facing the prospect of trying not to drop the soap with Michael Vick hardly seems commensurate with his crimes.
Tags: Animal Cruelty, Hawk, PGA Tour, Tripp Isenhour
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7 March 2008 at 10:01 am
“Is it really worth it to spend thousands of dollars in state money to protect a stupid bird?”
Are you against wildlife conservation? Or just against conservation of “stupid” animals? If you don’t punish people for breaking laws, they won’t hesitate to break them.
7 March 2008 at 12:25 pm
I am not against wildlife conservation. I just think there is a difference between someone deliberately hunting an endangered species and someone shooting a golf ball at a bird, not knowing that it was endangered, to get it to leave.
I think it is acceptable to make him pay a fine, but I think it is overkill to have him face charges, have lawyers and a judge present, and having investigators on the case. I don’t think that Tripp Isenhour is a menace to society.
I don’t think he had deliberate knowledge that it was an endangered bird and he was going to kill it. He is an idiot. I don’t agree with what he did, but I don’t think he should be facing jail time for it.
7 March 2008 at 6:00 pm
What a jerk that guy is. It seems there is always a bad apple in some aspect of life.
8 March 2008 at 6:47 pm
Wildlife issues aside, in a way you gotta admire his talent. I mean, go to a driving range sometime and people can’t even come close to hitting the ball pick-up vehicle. This guy nailed a HAWK.
13 March 2008 at 10:19 am
Yeah, he’s an idiot. Hope he has a career ending injury.