Posted on 02/04/2006 2:30:13 AM PST by freepatriot32
NOVATO, Calif. - An 82-year-old animal lover was arrested this week on allegations he grabbed and brandished a trapper's revolver during a scuffle over the skunk.
Lou Kessler was arrested Tuesday. He was released on his own recognizance Wednesday after being charged with misdemeanor counts of using a firearm in a fight and disturbing the peace.
The victim, Ron Bailey, 52, told The Press Democrat in a phone interview that he simply was doing his job as a state-licensed trapper and he believes Kessler disobeyed the law and attacked him.
The scuffle allegedly began when Kessler and his wife went to a home Tuesday afternoon at the request of an animal-rights advocate in San Francisco, who had asked them to release a skunk that had been trapped by the property owner.
Kessler's wife Margaret said she heard Bailey and his son yell, "Do not release the skunk, sir," as they charged down the hill toward her husband. She alleges the men attacked her husband and he tried to defend himself.
Bailey admits that his son, who was also at the scene, knocked Kessler to the ground but said it was only after the elderly man grabbed his gun.
"He reaches into my holster and pulls my gun out," Bailey said. "I'm looking in the barrel of my own gun - he's got it in both hands one foot away from my stomach."
Bailey is licensed as a trapper by the state Fish and Game Department and legally can carry a gun.
"Sir! Unhand my WIFE -- !" :)
What a tolerant, sensitive individual.
Those guys who keep a fish an inch or two over the limit needs killing, but don't ever use it on illegal aliens coming into your state to commit felonies.
BTTT
"An 82-year-old animal lover was arrested this week on allegations he grabbed and brandished a trapper's revolver during a scuffle over the skunk."
Note to trapper, time for some weapons retention 101! An 82 year old man should not be able to take your wheelgun and point it at you!!
This dude is never going to live this down, but at least he is still alive. Many who have their weapons taken from them end up being carried by six.
This dude REALLY is a gun grabber. LOL.
something about this stinks!...
How about "You can have the skunk as long as you take it home, sir"
So, what happened to the skunk?
A hundred years ago the story would've been about two mountain men fighting over territorial hunting rights. Today it reads like two old queens fighting over a potential skunk pelt.
Most, if not all, state trappers are licensed to carry a gun.
They do not enforce creel or size limits of game or fish or hunt down illegal aliens.
The gun (most of which are .22 revolvers) is for protection from the animals they trap and to dispatch any of the animals that present a problem.
Most state trappers are contract employees, not actual state employees and do not work under the color of state authority.
I have tried to remember an incident wherein any game violator with a fish 2-3 inches too long, was summarily "killed" for the violation, but have not been able to find any.
Have you a source?
Kessler should be sentenced to keep a skunk in his back yard until he begs the judge to have it removed. That'll solve his cute & cuddly problems.
After a few nights of no appetite & no sleep - skunks are night creatures that mark their territory well - the Kesslers will have learned a pungent lesson.
We don't need no steenking bump bump!
I wasn't being serious. Please don't take it as such.
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