NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Mendocino County woman and her boyfriend could face criminal charges after they attempted to sell a fawn on Craigslist.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Lt. Chris Stoots said he couldn't release the names of the two individuals because they were not arrested in the case and charges have not yet been filed by the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office.
However, Mendocino County Sheriff's booking logs showed that Lacy Jean David, 28, of Ukiah was arrested by Fish and Wildlife wardens at around 11 a.m. Tuesday, with her bail set at $10,000.
Stoots said she was booked for a no-cite warrant unrelated to the case involving the fawn and was in possession of what authorities believe were two methamphetamine pipes. Her boyfriend was released.
Stoots said a picture of a fawn was posted for sale on Tuesday morning on the Mendocino County Craigslist.
The little creature appeared to be wrapped in a blanket, with the asking price set at $300, based on the ad.
Stoots said wardens saw the posting and replied, and made arrangements to meet in Ukiah and buy the fawn.
While they were waiting, from a hidden location wardens witnessed a vehicle pull into the location and got a call from the subjects with the fawn to let them know they were there, Stoots said.
When the couple arrived, the fawn was in the vehicle, Stoots said.
He said the couple told wardens they picked up the fawn at around 2 a.m. Tuesday after they found it standing in the middle of Old River Road near Hopland.
According to Stoots, David said she “did not really know what to do with it [after she picked it up] so she decided to try and sell it. She continually stated that she did not know it was illegal to sell wild animals. She said that she was only trying to do what was right for the fawn.”
Stoots said the fawn appeared to be in good health and was taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility in Lakeport.
While wardens do see sales of mounts/taxidermy, or restricted non-native species such as ferrets, Stoots added that it's uncommon to see the sale of live native wildlife.
“It is common for people to pick up fawns under the mistaken belief that they need human interdiction from abandonment, when in reality mom is usually nearby, so they are actually inadvertently abducting the little animal,” he said.
He added, “This is rather unique, to pick the animal up and list it for sale within hours.”
Stoots said a formal complaint is being sought with the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office for both David and her boyfriend.
“Wardens will be seeking charges for unlawful possession of the fawn and attempted sale of wildlife,” which are misdemeanors, Stoots said.
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Authorities say couple tried to sell fawn on Craigslist
- Elizabeth Larson
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