http://www.wnbc.com/news/3859119/detail.html
Woman Fined For Chaining Self Inside Bear Trap
Activist Cites Thoreau, Martin Luther King Jr. In Court
POSTED: 12:41 am EDT October 27, 2004
UPDATED: 1:05 am EDT October 27, 2004
VERNON TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- An animal rights activist who chained herself to a bear trap has been fined more than $1,000 by a municipal judge who found her guilty of trespassing and obstruction.
Angi Metler staged her protest in August after an elderly couple who have a summer cottage in Vernon asked the state Division of Fish and Wildlife for help in getting rid of a pesky black bear. The animal had once even clawed its way into their screened-in porch, the couple said.
Wildlife officers set a trap and baited it with bacon and molasses. Division policy is to kill bears that threaten people, but Metler, 47, said that approach only encourages people to fear bears.
On Aug. 23, the day of her protest, Metler climbed into the trap, a large metal cylinder with bars at both ends, and chained herself to it with a bike lock.
She spent about an hour inside while arguing with her neighbors, Leonard and Priscilla Smith. Eventually the Smiths called police, who freed Metler and then arrested her.
On Tuesday, Judge Walter Koprowski ordered Metler to pay a $1,068 fine.
In court, Metler read a statement expressing her love for bears and her belief in civil disobedience. "I have respect for the law, but I also have profound respect for Henry David Thoreau, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Boston Tea Party participants," said Metler, a medical technician.
The judge cleared Metler of two charges, criminal mischief and hindering the lawful taking of wildlife. She has 13 days to pay the fine or appeal. Metler said she had not decided whether to appeal.
I don't think it's enough money to teach her to avoid these extremist measures. A friend joking around a bit said back when this whole thing started said the game warden should have come by, tranked her, taken her to south jersey, tossed her out and rubber buckshot her to teach her a lesson and not to come back. In a humorous way I think it would wake her up but in reality I think judges should come down harder on these people to teach them not to act out in such inappropriate manners.