Moore’s anti-poaching bill signed into law
Gov. Charlie Baker has signed an anti-poaching bill sponsored by state Sen. Michael Moore, which increases fines and criminal penalties levied on offenders who exploit wildlife in Massachusetts.
“After nearly a century, Massachusetts’ anti-poaching laws have finally been brought up to meet the standards of the 21st Century,” said Moore, the bill’s original sponsor. “No longer will the Bay State serve as a safe haven for poachers.
“By joining the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, Massachusetts will begin sharing information with law enforcement in all 50 states to ensure poachers can’t simply cross state lines to evade accountability,” Moore added. “The Commonwealth is also increasing the fines and penalties levied onto violators of our wildlife protection laws, making it clear that we will protect our ecosystems from those who wish to do it harm. I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate and the House for joining with me to pass this legislation, and to Gov. Charlie Baker for signing it into law.”
Massachusetts was the only state that was not a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, said Melissa Ekvall, Senior Advocacy Outreach and Research Director of the MSPCA.
“We are grateful that the Senate took this great step forward to stop the illegal killing of wildlife in Massachusetts,” Ekvall said. “Soon, we will no longer be a ‘poacher’s paradise.’”
“By joining the powerful Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact and strengthening outdated penalties for poaching our wildlife including black bears, red tailed hawks, and deer, Massachusetts will add critical resources to combat illegal and cruel hunting, trapping, and fishing in the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Laura Hagen, Massachusetts State Director for the Humane Society of the United States. “Our residents take wildlife crimes seriously, and we are grateful to the Massachusetts Senate for passing a bill that will sign us onto this this nationwide enforcement tool and protect the Commonwealth’s wild animals.”
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