https://newjersey.news12.com/ringwood-man-faces-charges-for-illegal-killing-of-4-bear-cubs

Tragically, 4 bear cubs were illegally slaughtered, using an illegal firearm in a Ringwood, NJ state park the evening of November 14/22. It was not hunting season, and killing bears under 75 lbs, or a bear family is prohibited. The mother bear was observed mourning her dead cubs. These heinous crimes took place one block from a school, and within 450 feet of people’s homes. Matthew Ligus, of Valley RD, Ringwood, NJ has been charged, but only faces up to $6000.00 in fines if convicted.  

The cubs bodies were discovered just inside the state park, and NJ Fish & Wildlife Conservation State police have jurisdiction over these offenses. Unfortunately, they are only issuing summonses, and stated that the criteria to press criminal charges had not been met, not even animal cruelty charges! 

"According to statute 4:22-17 Cruelty; certain acts, crime; degrees.
a. It shall be unlawful to:
(1) Overdrive, overload, drive when overloaded, overwork, abuse, or needlessly kill a living animal or creature;...b. (1) A person who violates subsection a. of this section shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:43-3 to the contrary, for every conviction of an offense pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of
subsection a. of this section, the person shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $1,000, or be imprisoned for a term of not more than six months, or both, in the discretion of the court;..." (https://www.state.nj.us/health/vph/documents/4_22-17%20Text%202018.pdf

We want these abhorrent crimes escalated, and further investigated by the Passaic County Prosecutor Andrew Palestini of the animal cruelty unit.  Specifically, we want criminal charges for:  animal cruelty, the use of an illegal firearm, ammunition, and the discharge of a firearm within close proximity to homes and a school. Additionally, we want red flag laws applied to help protect ANYMORE innocents from being harmed!  

To leave a message for Prosecutor Palestini:  PH 973-881-4325.  Email: apalestini@passaiccountynj.org  

This petition was sent to Passaic Prosecutor Andrew Palestini of the animal cruelty unit December 6/22, and will be resent early in 2023 after receiving more signatures. It was sent again with over 6,000 signatures on Jan.6/23.

It’s incumbent upon Mr. Palestini to charge Matthew Ligus with animal cruelty (at the very least), in order to send a strong message that these heinous crimes will never be tolerated. 

Questions that need to be investigated and answered: 

1) Were these crimes committed by several people?  Three of cubs were found just inside the park border, behind Mathew Ligus’ house which backs onto the state park. The fourth cub was found nearby but not within sight of the other’s. There are no public entrance’s for over a 1/2 a mile in any direction.

2) How did he alone manage to kill all four cubs without an assault rifle?  After the first cub was killed, the sound alone would have sent the other 3 running, yet 3 of the 4 were all found close to each other. How could he be in two places at once?

3) Have the bullets been analyzed & compared to determine if they are from the same weapon? Is Matthew Ligus taking all the blame to cover for others and/or for someone already facing criminal charges? 

4) Were the bear cubs baited to attract them to the precise location for the shooter(s) to successfully kill them?  One or more person(s) skulking around with firearms on private property or in a state park out of hunting season, would be very risky all things considered. Hence, he/they would “likely” do whatever necessary to minimize those risks. 

5)  Was he/they on private property (theirs's) when the firearm was discharged?  The trajectories of the bullet entry wounds, and proximity of the cubs to the border of the state park need to be considered to help determine where the shooter(s) was when he/they discharged the firearm(s). 

6)  Why aren’t the NJ Fish & Wildlife state police seeking red flag laws in this case? 

7)  Why wasn’t Matthew Ligus criminally charged for animal cruelty, the use of an illegal firearm and illegal ammunition? 

Prosecutor Palestini should consider these questions while investigating, as many things simply don’t add up. Without criminal charges brought, our community will not feel safe. Do we really need to point to hindsight again, if there is another, more serious tragedy in the future?  We NEED justice for those poor cubs, and to help protect our beloved wildlife, children, and people from potential, future violence by Ligus.  According to several studies, there is a correlation between animal cruelty and violent, criminal behaviour.

If criminal charges are not brought, what message will it send?  What good are animal cruelty laws if they’re not enforced?  

If convicted with our animal cruelty laws, Ligus could face up to 6 months max in prison (depending on the judge’s sentencing), counseling can be mandated, and fines levied. These bear cubs & their mother were peaceful, and people thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow up. To say we are heartbroken and outraged is an understatement! WE NEED TO BE THE VOICE’S FOR THE VOICELESS, AND SEEK JUSTICE!

Thank you for signing and sharing this petition. 

Sincerely,

Sheri Wolfe