Alexander Brock Smith, 18, and his 17-year-old hunting companion are facing two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and two felony counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated animal cruelty after they abused a buck on opening day of Pennsylvania deer hunting season. They are also being charged with misdemeanor and summary counts. One of the teenagers shot the deer which was unable to move.
The two males then kicked the deer’s face, ripping the deer’s antlers from his head and stepping on his throat while he was still alive. The buck was unable to escape the abuse due to being shot. They videotaped the episode and can be heard laughing and asking if the buck was still alive.
The graphic video went viral which led to the investigation by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
According to the Commission’s report, the two suspects were hunting together on November 30th in an enclosed tree stand on property owned by Smith’s family in Beaver Township, Jefferson County. The video that was taken was shared on the messaging app SnapChat. The video was then shared on the commission’s facebook page. The suspects’ phones were seized as well as the person who informed the game commission so forensic analysis could be performed on them.
Smith was arraigned earlier today and was released on $50,000 unsecured bail. The 17-year-old also had charged filed against him earlier today.
The Game Commission doesn’t give out names of minors.
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer, and an unabashed animal advocate. Her love for animals and quest for the hard truth is what drives her passion for all things animals. She hosts the television show, “A Close Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” She adores her tripawd, Brody, who was a formerly abused pup who lost his leg because of cruelty inflicted upon him. If you’d like Tina to talk to your group or have a story, please email her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com. Like https:www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookatAnimalWelfareIssues and be sure to check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com.
Finally charges that make sense. ? I can’t fathom holding a buck down who’s been shot and seriously wounded and kicking him repeatedly. What’s wrong with our youth? We’re supposed to teach them to be kind towards animals. I hear more stories of kids abusing animals and posting their feat. It’s sickening! This goes for adults too. These are depraved humans. They won’t get jail time but I think it will send a strong message to others.
This is great news. These two are future people abusers. They videotaped ripping the antlers off a dying buck. Who does that except deranged people? I hope they’re never allowed to hunt again. They have no respect for animals. They better be punished good too.
Plus they shared the video to show the world what stupid abusers they are. They are dumb and abusers.
put’em away. torture them. see how they like it. videotape it and share it on social media.