SHOSHONE, Idaho — Bureau of Land Management law enforcement officials from the Twin Falls District recently wrapped up an investigation into the dumping of thirteen cattle carcasses on public land just outside Shoshone.
A BLM employee discovered the carcasses earlier this winter.
“During the investigation, brands on the cattle led law enforcement to the owner. Once law enforcement confirmed the identity of the person responsible for the illegal dumping, a citation was issued. Additionally, the individual will be required to remove the carcasses,” said BLM spokesperson Heather Tiel-Nelson.
The BLM is not revealing the name or gender of the person cited because the case has not yet been resolved and is considered an open criminal matter, Tiel-Nelson explained. The person cited still has the options of paying the fine, appearing before a U.S. magistrate judge, or requesting a jury trial.
Illegally disposing of waste on public land is a misdemeanor and can carry a maximum one-year jail sentence and up to a $1,000 fine.
This isn’t the first-time carcasses dumped on public land have been discovered.
“It is extremely unfortunate that this type of activity occurs all too frequently on our public lands,” said Shoshone Field Manager Codie Martin. “It has a domino effect that reverberates through our communities; from the hunters and hikers offended by the sight and smell to the grazing permittees that have to move their cattle to a different pasture due to a reasonable concern of contagious disease from not knowing the cause of death.”
