USA: Hobby hunter must watch Bambi in jail

A judge in the US state of Missouri has sentenced a hobby hunter to a one-year prison term. While incarcerated, the man must also watch the Disney classic «Bambi» at least once a month.

Judge Robert George imposed a one-year prison sentence on repeat offender David Berry in the US state of Missouri. He also ordered that Berry must watch «Bambi» in prison for the first time before 23 December – and then at least once more every month for the duration of his sentence.

Berry and other members of his family are alleged to have illegally killed hundreds of deer over a period of three years – mostly during night-time hunting trips. The poachers had collected the animals’ heads as trophies, the prosecution explained – and simply left the rest of the carcasses behind. The authorities had already revoked Berry’s hunting licence due to previous violations of the law.

On 11 July 2016, approximately 100 state, federal, and Canadian wildlife officers questioned several suspects and other individuals in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Canada. Information gathered from these and earlier interviews led to more than 230 charges against 14 Missouri residents. Three suspects in Kansas, Nebraska, and Canada were linked to additional violations of hunting laws.

The 1942 animated film «Bambi» tells the story of the wide-eyed fawn Bambi, whose mother is shot by hunters. The classic has moved generations of cinema-goers to tears – children and adults alike.