Sentencing for Texas brothers who fatally shot dolphin with arrow
BEAUMONT, Texas - Two Southeast Texas brothers who pleaded guilty to a federal wildlife violation in the death of a bottlenose dolphin struck by an arrow were each sentenced to one year of probation, including a ban on hunting and fishing.
The Beaumont Enterprise reports U.S. Magistrate Keith Giblin sentenced 23-year-old Cory James Moseley and 18-year-old Cade Ryan Moseley on Wednesday. The brothers will also share about $7,300 in restitution and perform community service.
The brothers from Bridge City pleaded guilty in February to taking a marine mammal from U.S. waters. Giblin says federal law defines "taking" in this case as anything from harassment to killing. Evidence presented in court showed the brothers were fishing on Cow Bayou in 2014 when they shot at two dolphins with a compound bow, fatally striking one.
According to information presented in court, on July 26, 2014, the Moseley brothers shot at a pair of dolphins that had become stranded, CBS affiliate KFDM reported.
The second dolphin was located in the bayou and rescued by wildlife agents and SeaWorld San Antonio personnel, according to KFDM.